Odisha govt to set up 58 new cold storages at Rs 2520000000 investment

The Odisha government has set an ambitious target to construct 58 cold storage units at the sub-division level, with a budget allocation of Rs 252 crore, aimed at improving the state’s capacity to store perishable goods and reduce post-harvest losses.

Replying to a question in the State Assembly, Public Works Department Prithiviraj Harichandan stated that Odisha currently has 133 cold storage units, of which only 35 are fully functional. Out of these, 33 are privately operated and 2 are government-run, reflecting a significant gap between existing infrastructure and operational capacity.

The Minister highlighted that over the past decade, 26 new cold storages have been built, but 22 are functional while 4 remain non-operational. He also pointed out that 98 of the total 133 units are non-functional, including 20 government and 78 private facilities, underlining the need for better maintenance and monitoring.

The government reportedly aims to address these challenges by strengthening cold storage infrastructure, providing technical and financial support to operators, and ensuring proper utilisation of resources. 

Also Read: Over 430 Odisha migrant workers lost lives outside state since 2019: Minister in Assembly

Once completed, the new cold storages are expected to benefit farmers, traders, and the agricultural supply chain by preserving quality, extending shelf life, and preventing wastage of fruits, vegetables, and other perishable commodities across Odisha.