In a groundbreaking move for Maharashtra, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has initiated the demolition of its five-decades-old, outdated godowns at the Food Storage Depot (FSD) in the Borivali East suburb. These massive, round-shaped structures made of cement-concrete, originally designed to store wheat and rice for the people of Mumbai, will be replaced by 10 new, ultra-modern steel silos equipped with cutting-edge loading and unloading facilities.
This marks the first major overhaul of an FCI-owned FSD in Maharashtra and is the second-largest in the state. Spread over a sprawling 118 acres of prime land, the depot is situated in close proximity to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The ambitious redevelopment project, undertaken by the Central government, is expected to incur a substantial investment.
The 10 steel silos, each boasting a storage capacity of 12,500 tons, will stand at approximately 25 meters tall, constructed on a robust concrete base. Utilizing modern technology for loading and unloading processes, these silos are poised to transform the storage capabilities of FCI’s Borivali FSD. Upon completion in 2024, the storage capacity is set to nearly double from the existing 130,000 tonnes to over 260,000 tonnes.
This upgraded facility will rival the state’s largest FSD at Manmad, Nashik, with a foodgrain hoard strength of almost 259,166 tonnes, albeit in traditional warehouses.
According to FCI Divisional Manager D. Varaprasad Rao, the innovative steel silos will eliminate the need for bulky and often leaky bags of grains. Instead, foodgrains will be transported in special train wagons that can unload the consignment directly into the silos, significantly saving time and effort.
Rao emphasized that the steel silos will maximize vertical space, ensuring all-weather resistance, maintaining a constant temperature for an extended shelf life of wheat grains, and substantially mitigating problems related to insects and rodents.
The redevelopment project addresses the concerns of local residents who have long complained about issues with pests, including beetles, weevils, moths, and mosquitoes.
While 33 rectangular godowns will continue to function for a few more years, they are expected to be replaced with steel silos or advanced storage systems in the long run.
The 118-acre site’s redevelopment could potentially release a considerable portion for alternative official purposes or green space enhancement, contributing to the complex’s surroundings, which are bordered by numerous tall and small buildings.
The Borivali East site serves as the sole FSD for Mumbai’s entire population and was established in 1965 through a Central Act to ensure food security for all Indians. Originally headquartered in Chennai, the FCI’s central office was later relocated to New Delhi.
Apart from this significant redevelopment, Maharashtra hosts 57 other smaller FSDs, with 44 leased to external parties and 13 owned by the FCI. Together, these depots store millions of tonnes of food grains for the state’s 12-crore population.
With the government’s policy aimed at modernizing grain handling and storage, silos with a staggering capacity of 111.111 lakh metric tonnes (LMTs) are being developed at 249 FSDs across India in three phases from July 2022 onwards. The initial phase has seen the development of silos with a capacity of 12.75 LMT at 25 locations, including Maharashtra, marking a significant step towards revolutionizing India’s food storage infrastructure.
