HPMC plans to develop cold stores in 4 metro cities

Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Limited (HPMC) is planning to refurbish and upgrade its infrastructure in four metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai to enhance its income sources. The government undertaking, formed in 1974 to provide post-harvest facilities to the growers and help them market their fruits, has cold stores and some vacant land in these metros. The HPMC is chalking out plans to develop the vacant land and refurbish the worn out cold stores.

“We have a cold store in Chennai. It’s completely worn out and we are now looking for a partner in the Public Private Partnership (PPP,) mode to refurbish it,” said HPMC MD Sudesh Mokhta. As per Baldev Thakur, HPMC official posted in the Chennai facility, this metro city was the centre from where the marketing of HPMC products in South India was managed. “There’s a good demand for HPMC products, mainly apple juice concentrate, in South India. A refurbished facility in Chennai can boost the sale of our products in South India,” he added.

The HPMC has three acres in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata, where it plans to build IT infrastructure and then run it in the PPP mode. “We have already engaged a consultant group to prepare the detailed project report (DPR). It will also help in searching for a compatible partner. The project will ensure an assured income for the HPMC,” said Mokhta.

Besides, the HPCM also has a cold store in Mumbai being run by a private entity. “This facility is on a leased land and it is working fine at present. We get an income of Rs 6 crore in three years from the facility,” he said. “Around the facility, the HPMC also has some vacant land. It is planning to get a feasibility study done to use this land. In Delhi, it has a cold store and three acres in Kundli. the General Administration Department or the HPMC will develop the vacant three acres,” added Mokhta.

Meanwhile, the HPMC’s infrastructure in the state has been refurbished under the World Bank-aided HP Horticulture Development Project. Modern Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores have been set up at Gumma, Jarol (Tikkar), Oddi, Rohru and Patlikhul.

In view of its wide and refurbished network in the state, the growers want the HPMC to play a far more active role in marketing apple so that they get good prices for their produce.