Centre launches digital initiatives to strengthen food storage and logistics systems
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi said on Tuesday that the commissioning of the 1.5 lakh metric tonne-capacity hub silo complex in Malout, Punjab, reinforces India’s commitment to world-class and climate-resilient storage infrastructure. In a post on X, the minister informed that he inaugurated two major digital platforms Bhandaran 360 ERP and the Smart Exim Warehousing System. These platforms aim to enhance transparency, automation, and efficiency across India’s warehousing and logistics ecosystem.
He further announced the launch of the Food Corporation of India’s Anna Darpan and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs’ ASHA portal. These platforms modernise depot operations and introduce AI-driven, beneficiary-centric feedback for the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Speaking at the event, Joshi said that digital platforms like Bhandaran 360 will significantly improve supply chain efficiency across the country while ensuring transparency in technology-based service delivery. Built on SAP S/4 HANA, Bhandaran 360 integrates 41 modules covering advanced planning and execution, finance, marketing, warehouse management, contract management, project monitoring, and other key functions.
FCI’s microservices-based platform Anna Darpan brings together major functions such as procurement, storage, movement, sales, quality checks, label management, and contract monitoring into a single integrated system. It serves as the authentic source of information for both FCI and DOPD.
Under Digital Transformation 2.0, the Smart Exim Warehousing System has also been introduced for Container Freight Stations (CFS/ICD) and general warehouses. This system uses AI, IoT, FASTag, OCR/ANPR, GNSS, and other technologies to automate key processes.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution has additionally launched ASHA the Anna Sahayata Holistic AI Solution. This AI-based platform enables beneficiaries to share feedback on ration distribution through automated calls in their preferred language.