330 Godowns to be Constructed in State.

The state government has sanctioned 330 godowns with a capacity of 17.075 lakh metric tonnes with financial assistance from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), marketing minister T Harish Rao has said.

In the first phase, 128 godowns with a storage capacity of 6.85 lakh metric tonnes and 202 godowns in the second phase would be constructed, he added.

Replying to a question in the Assembly, Harish Rao said the first phase godowns are under various stages of construction and would be completed by April.

Whereas, in the second phase foundation and basement works are underway and would be completed by July.

The minister said Rs. 47.61 crore has been earmarked for constructing these godowns. Of the the 330 godowns, 54 will be constructed with with a storage capacity of 3,07,500 tonnes.

Harish Rao said farmers will be allowed to store their produce in these godowns for six months free of cost till they get a good price in the market. There are proposals to fence the godowns with solar power.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS