GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3977
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2026
MODERN STORAGE CAPACITY
3977 SHRI JASWANTSINH StJMANBHAI BHABHOR:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to
state
the details of the additional steps being taken by...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3977 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2026 MODERN STORAGE CAPACITY 3977 SHRI JASWANTSINH StJMANBHAI BHABHOR:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state the details of the additional steps being taken by the Government to develop modern storage capacity in the tribal-dominated Dahod Lok Sabha Constituency so as to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and prevent damage to foodgrains? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DiSTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA) The Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) has taken following steps for modernizing storage capacity across the country including Gujarat to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS) and prevent damage to foodgrains:
Smart Warehouse Project : Under this project, traditional depots are converted into smart warehouses which are equipped with different sensors like smoke sensors, fire sensors & gate opening sensor etc. for monitoring key parameters such as C02, phosphine levels, fire hazards, humidity, unauthorized entry and temperature on real time basis.
Smart warehouse ensures real-time visibility, timely intervention, data-driven decision-making & standardized operations across all depots contributing to ensure safe, secure, and efficient food grain storage and distribution.Depot Darpan Portal: Government has launched Depot Darpan Portal digital platform to enhance the monitoring, transparency and efficiency of food-grain storage depots & warehouses under PDS.
Key features and purpose of Depot Darpan: a. Depot/warehouse managers assess the infrastructure of their depots through uploading geo- tagged data regarding infrastructure and operations. b. Portal uses a composite scoring system, assessing depots on two broad categories:
infrastructure and operational parameters. c. Based on the scores, depots are graded. d. Validation of data is built into the process via 100% supervisory officer verification. e. All the FCI owned and hired warehouses and warehouses of CWC are covered under Depot Darpan portal.
Expansion of modern silos to reduce wastage:
Silos-Scientific Storage of Foodgrains: Silo storage represents a highly mechanized and modern method of bulk foodgrains storage, ensuring superior preservation and enhanced shelf life. It requires only one-third of the land area compared to conventional storage methods, lowers transit and overhead costs such as those associated with gunny bags, reduces manpower requirements, and ensures consistent quality through scientific handling and storage practices.
As on 30.06.2026, steel silos with a total capacity of 39 LMT at 76 locations are operational across country. Out of which 2 LMT at 5 locations are in Gujarat.
Further, 8,960 MT storage capacity has been hired under PWS scheme from M/s Vilohit Corporation, Dahod for the period 28.09.2025 to 27.09.2027.
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