The Hindu Business Line : India to soon go for energy efficient cold storage

NEW DELHI: India will soon see energy efficient and environment-friendly cold storage facilities for better storage of fruits and vegetables, as per the new guidelines suggested by a government appointed expert panel.

The 25-member team, headed by National Horticulture Board (NHB) Chairman Mr Bijay Kumar, has submitted a report to the agriculture ministry, prescribing technical standards for cold storages.

The new standards will become mandatory after an orientation meeting of all stakeholders on November 6, Mr Kumar said. The team included technical experts from IIT Delhi, field practitioners, consultants, experts from Bureau of Indian Standards and Burea u of Energy Efficiency and experts from refrigeration and thermal insulation industry.

The new design will take care of workmen safety and environmental aspects as the material used will not deplete the ozone layer, unlike freyon used in the traditional cold storage facilities.

For setting up new cold storages it will cost about Rs 3 crore for 5,000 tonne capacity from the present spending of Rs 2 crore, but in the long run it will be cost effective as the new design result in saving about 20-25 per cent energy, he added.

“It will cost Rs 10-11 for per 50 kg for nine months instead of Rs 15 in the existing model,” Mr Kumar pointed out. - PTI

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