**Executive Summary**
This document contains the response from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2835, to be answered on December 17, 2025, regarding the storage capacity of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). It details the government's assessment and actions related to foodgrain storage infrastructure, including modernization efforts and capacity expansion. The document includes information on total storage capacity, measures to prevent wastage, and specific schemes aimed at improving storage facilities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Storage Capacity Assessment and Creation:**
* The government continuously assesses and monitors storage capacity.
* Capacities are created/hired based on storage gap assessments through various schemes.
* **Storage Capacity Details (as of 01.11.2025):**
* Total storage capacity with FCI: 482.23 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes).
* Owned covered: 147.38 LMT.
* Hired covered: 322.43 LMT.
* CAP: 12.42 LMT.
* Storage capacity with state agencies: 432.93 LMT.
* Covered: 347.13 LMT.
* CAP: 85.8 LMT.
* State-wise details are enclosed in Annexure-I and Annexure-II.
* 2544 godowns are currently operating in various states for storage of foodgrains.
* Owned: 575
* Hired: 1969
* **Schemes for Storage Capacity Creation:**
* Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme.
* Central Sector Scheme (CSS) 2017-25.
* Construction of Silos under PPP mode.
* Hiring of godowns from CWCs/SWCs/State Agencies.
* Hiring of godowns through Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS).
* Creation of godowns under Asset Monetization.
* CAP Hiring Scheme -2025.
* Modified PEG scheme for NE & Hilly states with a longer guarantee period of 15 years.
* **Modernization of Storage:**
* **Smart Warehouse Project:** Converting 150 owned FCI depots to smart warehouses on a pilot basis. Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) depots are also covered.
* Equipping warehouses with sensors to monitor CO2, phosphine levels, fire hazards, humidity, unauthorized entry, and temperature.
* Aim: Real-time visibility, data-driven decision-making, and standardized operations.
* **Depot Darpan Portal:** A digital platform to enhance monitoring, transparency, and efficiency of food-grain storage depots under PDS.
* Uses a composite scoring system and star ratings to assess depot performance.
* Data validation via 100% supervisory officer verification and third-party audits.
* **Creation of Modern Steel Silos:** Aiming to increase steel-silo capacity to nearly 90 LMT in 2-3 years.
* Benefits: Reduced post-harvest losses, preserved grain quality, faster and safer rail-based movement, less land requirement, and lower logistics costs.
* **Grain Wastage:**
* FCI primarily procures paddy, rice, and wheat for maintaining buffer stock and ensuring food security.
* Very negligible quantity of food grains accrued as non-issuable (damage) mainly due to natural calamities like cyclone, flood, rain etc.
* No reports of wastage or spoilage due to inadequate or outdated facilities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Food Corporation of India (FCI)**
* **Impact:** Increase storage capacity, modernisation of storage facilities and maintenance of procured grains
* **Action Required:** Implement smart warehouse project
**State Agencies**
* **Impact:** Increased need for proper storage of procured grains and monitoring of storage operations.
* **Action Required:** Implement modern and scientific storage management strategies.
**Department of Food & Public Distribution:**
* **Impact:** Improved monitoring, transparency, and efficiency of food-grain storage through the Depot Darpan Portal.
* **Action Required:** Monitor and expand storage infrastructure, including promoting scientific warehousing and private sector participation.
Key Entities Referenced
Food Corporation of India (FCI): Central agency primarily responsible for foodgrain storage, procurement, and distribution.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The central ministry responsible for policies related to food security and public distribution.
Public Distribution System (PDS): Government-run system for distributing subsidized food grains to the public.
Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme: Scheme to encourage private sector investment in foodgrain storage infrastructure.
Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC): A central warehousing agency whose depots are being converted to smart warehouses.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2835
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2025
STORAGE CAPACITY OF FCI
2835. MS. S JOTHIMANI:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a): whether the Government has undertaken any recent assessment of foodgrains
storage infrastructure especially in rural and remote areas of the country;
(b): if so, the details of the current total storage capacity available with the Food
Corporation of India (FCI) and other central agencies, State-wise;
(c) : whether there are reports of wastage or spoilage of foodgrains due to inadequate or
outdated storage facilities and if so, the details thereof; and
(d): the details of the measures being taken by the Government to modernize and
expand foodgrains storage infrastructure including the promotion of scientific
warehousing and private sector participation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): The Government continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on
the storage gap assessment, the storage capacities are created/hired through following schemes:
1 Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
2 Central Sector Scheme (CSS) 2017-25
3 Construction of Silos under PPP mode
4. Hiring of godown from CWCs/SWCs/State Agencies
5 Hiring ofgodown through Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS).
6 Creation of godowns under Asset Monetization
7 CAP Hiring Scheme -2025
8. Modified PEG scheme for NE & Hilly states with longer guarantee period of 15 years
Department of Food & Public Distribution through FCI mainly stores wheat & rice after
procurement for PDS operation and to maintain buffer stock. As on 01.11.2025, total Storage
Capacity available with FCI is 482.23 LMT (Owned covered– 147.38 LMT + Hired covered –
322.43 LMT+ CAP-12.42 LMT). Besides, 432.93 LMT storage capacity (347.13 LMT covered
and 85.8 LMT CAP) is with state agencies. The State-wise details are enclosed at Annexure-l.As on 01.11.2025, 2544 numbers (Owned - 575 & Hired – 1969) of godowns of Food
Corporation of India currently operating in the various states for storage of foodgrains throughout
the country. The State-wise details are enclosed at Annexure-II
(c): FCI mainly procures paddy, rice and wheat for maintaining buffer & strategic reserve for
the country to ensure food security. During this process, very negligible quantity of food grains
accrued as non-issuable (damage) mainly due to natural calamities like cyclone, flood, rain etc.
However, reports of wastage or spoilage of foodgrains due to inadequate or outdated
storage facilities have not been observed by this Department.
(d): The Government has taken various steps to modernise and expand storage infrastructure,
including the promotion of scientific warehousing and private sector participation: -
Steps for modernization of Storage
(i) Smart Warehouse Project :-
Department is in the process of converting 150 owned Depots of Food Corporation of India (FC:I)
to smart warehouses on pilot basis. Besides, all the food grain depots of Central Warehousing
Corporation (CWC) are also covered under smart warehouse project.
Under this project, traditional depots are converted in smart warehouses which are equipped with
different sensors like smoke sensors, fire sensors & gate opening sensor etc. for monitoring key
parameters such as CC)2, phosphine levels, fire hazards, humidity, unauthorized entry and
temperature on real time basis.
This initiative is to ensure real-time visibility, timely intervention, data-driven decision-making &
standardized operations across all depots contributing to ensure safe, secure, and efficient food
grain storage and distribution.
(ii) Depot Darpan Portal: -
Depot Darpan Portal is a digital platform launched by this Department to enhance the monitoring,
transparency and efficiency of food-grain storage depots under PDS.
This Portal uses a composite scoring system, assessing depots on two broad categories:
Infrastructure and Operational Parameters. Based on the scores, each depot receives a star rating,
which is meant to provide a quick assessment of depot performance. Validation of data is built
into the process via 100% supervisory officer verification and some random third-party audits to
ensure reliability.
(iii) Creation of modern steel silos: -
FCl’s operational steel-silo capacity has increased to 29.5 LMT, with projects underway to
raise it to nearly 90 LMT in coming 2-3 years, marking a major shift from traditional godown-
based storage to modern scientific systems.
Main objective of this reform is to modernize India’s food grain storage and supply chain
through durable, efficient and technologically advanced steel silos that reduce post-harvest losses,
preserve grain quality, enable faster and safer rail-based movement, requires one third of the land
in comparison to conventional godown, and lower logistics costs.Silos ensure better grain quality, reduced wastage and improving. For the sector, silos
provide higher operational efficiency, faster bulk handling, reduced spoilage, lower labour needs
and optimized supply-chain operations, strengthening the long-term storage capacity and
enhancing sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Steps for expansion of storage.
The Government expands storage capacity using the various schemes as stated in part (a) & (b)
above
SeSeScg cSe qcCentral Pool Storage Capacity with PCI and State Govt.Agencies as on 01.11.2025 Annex - I
0 0
:If & CAP] 1( Owned+ 1 Agencies including SWCs [excluding
~ [ Hired) 1c apacities given to FCI) for storage of Grand Total
nI Region/U.T. foodgrains
o
e o mM Total 1(Ml g State Agencies Cov, CAP Cov. &
I e o CAP 0 0 CAP
1 IBIHAR 3.45 1 9.99 1 o.oo I o.oo 13.43 0.00 13.43 10.13 1 o.oo 1 10.13 23.56 0.00 23.56
E 2 IIHARKHAND 1.08 3.52 0.00 0.00 4.61 0.00 4.61 2.25 0 2.25 6.86 0.00 6.86
A
3 IORISSA 3.65 3.13 0.00 0.00 6.78 0.00 6.78 5.34 0 5.34 12.12 0.00 12.12
S
T 4 IWESTBENGAL 9.53 1.42 0.00 0.00 10.95 0.00 10.95 9.66 0 9.66 20.61 0.00 20.61
5 ISIKKIM 0.11 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.00 0.11 0.11 0 0.11 0.23 0.00 0.23
Total East Zone 17.82 18.07 0.00 0.00 35.89 mo 35.89 27.49 mo 27.49 63.38 0.00 63.38
6
1A SSAM 3.82 1.59 0.00 0.00 5.42 0.00 5.42 0.00 0 0.00 5.42 0.00 5.42
1
7 IARUNACHALPD o.41 o.04 0.00 0.00 0.45 0.00 0.45 0.00 0 0.00 0.45 0.00 0.45
1
N 8 IMEGHALAYA o.20 o.25 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.44 0.00 0 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.44
1
II 9 IMIZORAM o.32 o.oo 0.00 0.00 0.32 0.00 0.32 0.41 0 0.41 0.73 0.00 0.73
1
10 ITRIPURA o.44 o.19 0.00 0.00 0.62 0.00 0.62 0.64 0 0.64 1.27 0.00 1.27
1
11 IMANIPUR o.65 o.oo 0.00 0.00 0.65 0.00 0.65 0.00 0 0.00 0.65 0.00 0.65
12 INAGALAND 0.42 0.16 0.00 0.00 0.57 0.00 0.57 0.08 0 0.08 0.65 0.00 0.65
Total North East Zone 6.25 2.22 0.00 0.00 8.47 0.00 8.47 1.13 0.00 1 1.13 1 99..6600 1 00..0000 1 99..6600
13 IDELHI 3.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.28 0.00 3.28 0.00 0 0.00 3.28 0.00 3.28
14 IHARYANA 8.75 55.25 2.88 0.00 64.00 2.88 66.88 46.77 23.09 69.86 110.77 25.97 136.74
15 IHIMACHALPD, 0.27 0.73 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 0 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00
N 16 IJ &K 0.95 1.45 0.00 0.00 2.40 0.00 2.40 0.00 0 0.00 2.40 0.00 2.40
0 17 ILADAKH 0.25 0.13 0.00 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.38 0.00 0 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.38
R
T 18 IPUNJAB 27.17 122.65 3.31 5.63 149.82 8.94 158.76 30.19 62.71 92.90 180.01 71.65 251.66
H 19 ICHANDIGARH 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.09 0.00 0 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.09
20 IRAJASTHAN 8.42 12.45 0.60 0.00 20.87 0.60 21.47 0.00 0 0.00 20.87 0.60 21.47
21 IUTTARPRADESH 15.68 38.74 0.00 0.00 54.42 0.00 54.42 0.00 0 0.00 54.42 0.00 54.42
22 IUTTARAKHAND 0.83 1.26 0.00 0.00 2.09 0.00 t 2.09 1.88 0 1.88 3.97 0.00 3.97
Total North Zone 65.59 232.75 6.79r5a3 298.35 12.42 310.77 78.84 85.80 164.64 377.19 98.22 475.41
23 IANDHRAPRADESH 8.64 2.67 0.00 0.00 11.31 0.00 11.31 23.68 0 23.68 34.99 0.00 34.99
24 IANDMANNIKOBAR 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 0.00 0.07 0.16 0 0.16 0.23 0.00 0.23
S 25 ITELANGANA 6.68 16.20 0.00 0.00 22.87 0.00 22.87 6.01 0 6.01 28.88 0.00 28.88
0 26 IKERALA 5.88 0.13 0.00 0.00 6.01 0.00 6.01 1.84 0 1.84 7.85 0.00 7.85
U
T 27 IKARNATAKA 4.61 5.83 0.00 0.00 10.44 0.00 10.44 0.00 0 0.00 10.44 0.00 10.44
H 28 ILAKSHDWEEP 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.03 0.00 0 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.03
29 ITAMIL NADU 6.46 6.46 0.00 0.00 12.92 0.00 12.92 0.00 0 0.00 12.92 0.00 12.92
30 IPUDDUCHERI 0.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.51 0.00 0.51 0.00 0 0.00 0.51 0.00 0.51
Total South Zone 32.87 31.28 0.00 0.00 64.16 0.00 64.16 31.69 0.00 31.69 95.85 0.00 95.85
31 IGUJARAT 4.93 4.49 0.00 0.00 9.42 0.00 9.42 0.58 0 0.58 10.00 0.00 10.00
W 32 IDADARNAGAR HAVELI 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
E 33 IMAHARASHTRA 9.23 9.90 0.00 0.00 19.13 0.00 19.13 6.98 0 6.98 26.11 0.00 26.11
S 34 IGOA 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.19 0.00 0.19 0.00 0 0.00 0.19 0.00 0.19
T
35 IMADHYA PRADESH 4.18 9.33 0.00 0.00 13.51 0.00 13.51 189.16 0.00 189.16 202.67 0.00 202.67
t
36 ICHHATTISGARH 6.32 14.38 0.00 0.00 20.70 0.00 I 20.70 11.26 0 11.26 31.96 0.00 31.96
Total West Zone 24.85 38.10 0.00 0.00 62.95 0.00 62.95 207.98ToFo 207.98 270.93[ono 270.93
Grand Total 147.38 13 22.43 6.79 5.63 1 4 466 99 .8. 18 1 1 1122.4.42 2 1 44882.223.2 31 334477.1.31 3 1 85.80 1 432.93 816.94 98.22 915.16> CI as on lst Nov, 2025
(Annex –II)
Hired & Manage by FCI
Total FCI
SL. IREGION AL
NO. 10FFICE STATE/ U.T. FCI Owned+ CWC S Gota vtt e . SW C P E G 1 H&: rod P 2W 0 1S 0 PO vt.t Ph ae rtr is es/ I I T Ho irt ea dl (O Hw irn ee dd )+
1 1B ihar Bihar 12 9 1 30 14 3 4 2 63 75
2 IJharkhand Jharkhand 4
3 lodisha Odisha 21 2 13 0 0 0 0 22 43
West Benga 22 2 0 0 2 7 29
4 jwest Bengal Sikkim 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 I 2
Total East Zone 65 22 3 50 34 5 14 3 131 196
5 1A ssam I Assam 22 3 0 4 1 1 0 5 14 36
6 IArunachal PD. IArunachal PD. 14 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 18
Meghalya 4 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 5 9
7 INEF(Shillong) IMizoram 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
Trip u ra 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 8
8 IManipur IManipur 9 a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
9 INagaland INagaland 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6
Total North East Zone 65 6 2 9 3 1 0 6 27 92
lo 1D elhi I Delhi 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
11 Harya na 34 13 6 94 6 7 3 221 255
12 IHimachal PD Himachal PD. 8 3 0 7 0 0 12 20
J & K 12 2 1 7 0 6 0 16 28
13 J & K
Ladakh 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 5
Punjab 125 23 1 357 181 9 1 54 626 751
14 Punjab Chandigarh 0 7 1 o o I o o I o 0 7 7
15 Rajasthan Rajasthan 39 20 1 3 27 1 3 1 1 94 10 158 197
Uttar Pradesh juttar Pradesh 4 26 7 63 4
Uttrakhand juttrakhand 4 5 0 11 0 0 0 17 21
Total North Zone 278 99 18 582 357 20 112 69 1257 1535
Andhra Pd. 22 3 0 24 0 0 0 0 27 49
18 Andhra Pd.
Andman & Nico 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
19 ITelangana Telangana 11 8 1 47 1 0 15 0 72 83
20 1K erala Kerala 23 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 26
Karnataka 21 8 0 22 0 1 8 0 39 60
21 1K arnataka
Lakshd weed 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Tamilnadu 10 8 1 12 4 2 2 0 29 39
22 Tamilnadu
Puducherry 4 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 5 9
Total South Zone 93 32 2 107 5 3 26 0 175 268
Gujarat 14 10 2 0 0 3 8 3 26 40
23 Gujarat
Dadar & Nagar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Maharashtra 13 6 1 24 2 1 19 2 55 68
24 Maharashtra
Goa 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
25 IMadhya Pd. IMadhya Pd. 25 2 0 204 0 0 2 1 209 234
26 lchhattisgarh lchhattisgarh 21 8 2 74 3 0 1 1 89 110
Total West Zone 74 26 5 302 5 4 30 7 379 453
G .Total 575 185 30 1050 404 33 182 85 1969 2544