Business Standard

New cool chains in Himachal

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Baldev S Chauhan Shimla
Container Corporation of India (CCIL) has mooted a plan to set up cool chains for providing handling, transport, storage, and other facilities for fruit and vegetable farmers in Himachal Pradesh.
 
In partnership with state-run Himachal Produce Marketing Corporation (HPMC), the plan aims at bettering the transportation and marketing of perishable items, besides reviving the fund-starved HPMC.
 
"CCIL is a multi-model transport agency with extensive experience in handling perishable cargo, besides fruits and vegetables," an official spokesman said today.
 
"CCIL would help growers reach far-flung markets and avail of storage facilities of international standards, where their produce can be kept for one year," the spokesman said.
 
"The project will provide collection centres, pre-cooling facilities, refrigerated transport, and storage and distribution centres throughout the state," he said. CCIL has done a survey in the Shimla, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur districts of the hill state to plan the movement of apple and peach in refrigerated containers.
 
"The refrigerated transport would help farmers sell their produce in farm-fresh conditions and will be boon for highly perishable products like peaches, cherries, and pears," the spokesman said.
 
The official said CCIL planned to make substantial investments in Himachal Pradesh.

 
 

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First Published: Sep 14 2004 | 12:00 AM IST

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