FCI to transport grains through sea route for the first time

Decision to reduce the bottlenecks and stress in the inland transportation of food grains

In February, The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will transport 20,000 tonnes of rice through the sea route to Kerala from Andhra Pradesh, the first time in its decade-long history.

Till now, FCI moved foodgrains (wheat and rice) from one part of the country to another, usually between producing and consuming states, through roads and railways to meet the monthly requirement under the public distribution system (PDS). It transports 3-3.5 million tonnes of foodgrains every month.

“Tenders to this effect have been finalised and operations are expected to start in the near future. The first ship carrying the containers is expected to proceed from Kakinada in February, 2014,” an official statement said. The container will travel from Kakinada to Vallarpadam Container Terminal in Kochi.

The decision to open the sea route has been taken to reduce the bottlenecks and stress in the inland transportation of food grains and to open up multi-model transportation methodology involving the sea route, which will be cheaper and easier in the long run.

Officials said in the future, more ports in Kerala and in other parts of the country would be explored for transportation of foodgrains.

Usually, Kerala receives 70,000-80,000 tonnes of boiled rice each month for distribution through the PDS. Officials said people around Kochi, Alappuzha, Arakkulam, Mavelikkara, Chingavanam and Anagammally will get the benefit of movement of food grains through the sea route.

Inter-state and intra-state movement of foodgrains is one of the most crucial aspects of nationwide PDS operations.

In 2012-13, total inter and intra movement of food grains was estimated to be around 40.82 million tonnes as compared to 36.79 million tonnes of last year, an increase of 11 per cent.