Digital systems and smart warehousing will cut logistics costs and boost efficiency, aligning with the Gati Shakti vision.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, has inaugurated major digital projects aimed at modernising warehouse operations, enhancing supply chain efficiency, and increasing transparency throughout the Public Distribution System (PDS). The minister emphasised that these initiatives support the national objective of cutting logistics costs and turnover time, aligning perfectly with the PM Gati Shakti programme. This push for digital transformation focuses on three core platforms, alongside a new citizen feedback system and modern infrastructure investments.
At the centre of this technical overhaul is the Central Warehousing Corporation’s (CWC) new ERP platform, ‘Bhandaran 360’, built on SAP S/4HANA. This robust system integrates 41 modules covering everything from HR and finance to warehouse management and marketing. It features real-time dashboards, end-to-end data encryption, single sign-on security, automated workflows with chatbots and RPA, and predictive analytics. Crucially, it links with 35 external systems, including port systems and FCI, ensuring seamless digital connectivity across the entire food storage and movement ecosystem. Furthermore, CWC introduced the Smart EXIM Warehouse System for container freight stations, which leverages AI, IoT, FASTag, and Digital Twin technology for real-time yard management, automated gate entry, and smart inventory tracking, significantly speeding up cargo handling and enhancing transparency.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has also upgraded its systems by rolling out ANNA DARPAN, a new microservices-based platform replacing the existing Depot Online System. ANNA DARPAN serves as a single unified source of truth for FCI and the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), connecting all key supply chain activities, including procurement, storage, movement, and quality checks under one integrated system. The platform is designed to be mobile-first, providing real-time dashboards across all operational locations for faster decision-making and better transparency in India’s food supply chain.
To enhance accountability and citizen participation, the DFPD has launched ASHA (Anna Sahayata Holistic AI Solution). This AI-based platform allows beneficiaries to share feedback on ration distribution through AI-enabled calls in their preferred language, backed by India AI mission via Bhashini’s multilingual AI infrastructure. ASHA uses sentiment analysis and automated grievance categorisation to help identify irregularities quickly, strengthening transparency under the Food Security Act. Finally, the commitment to modern infrastructure was highlighted by the virtual launch of a new Hub Silo Complex at Malout, Punjab, which provides 1.5 lakh metric tonnes of capacity. These modern steel silos ensure superior, loss-free grain preservation from moisture and pests, leading to higher quality foodgrains for ration-card holders while reducing spoilage and maintenance costs compared to traditional warehousing.
SOURCE – PIB
