FCI transporting foodgrains via sea route within the country

NEW DELHI: Food Corporation of India ( FCI) is transporting foodgrains through sea route within the country to boost supply, Parliament was informed today.

FCI is the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains. It runs public distribution system (PDS).

Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Patil Danve replied in affirmative when asked whether the government has decided to transport foodgrains through the sea route within the country.

The decision has been taken to explore an alternate mode of transportation other than rail and road to North East and Kerala, he said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

"Movement of foodgrains through sea and riverine route is helping FCI in augmenting supply of foodgrains to different remote-located parts of the country," Danve said.

The minister informed that from January 15 this year FCI has started transportation of foodgrains from Andhra Pradesh to Kerala through sea route and 33,593 tonnes of foodgrains has been dispatched for various depots of Kerala till date.

"FCI has also taken steps for movement of 10,000 tonnes of foodgrains from Andhra Pradesh to Tripura via Ashuganj port of Bangladesh through Indo-Bangla protocol route. Movement of foodgrains on this route has commenced and first ship has sailed from Andhra Pradesh," Danve said.