The government will soon launch a new portal to monitor food storage depots in real time, ensuring they adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced on Thursday.
The “Depot Darpan” portal and mobile application, set to be unveiled on May 20, is part of the government’s broader initiative to enhance food security for over 80 crore beneficiaries through scientific warehousing and smart storage solutions for food grains.
The Depot Darpan platform will empower depot managers to monitor infrastructure, operational efficiency, and financial performance in near real-time. By uploading geo-tagged data on depot infrastructure, managers will receive automated ratings and actionable insights for timely improvements. The system ensures robust oversight through 100% validation by supervisory officers and random third-party audits.
Warehouses will be evaluated on two key parameters: infrastructural aspects—covering safety, storage conditions, environmental factors, technology adoption, and statutory compliance—and operational efficiency, which includes stock turnover, losses, space utilization, manpower costs, and profitability. Each depot will receive a star rating based on a composite score from these categories.
Integrated with cutting-edge smart warehousing technologies, Depot Darpan creates a seamless digital ecosystem. Real-time monitoring through CCTV surveillance and IoT sensors will track critical parameters such as CO₂ levels, phosphine gas, fire hazards, humidity, temperature, and unauthorized access.
Additionally, AI-based technologies such as bag counting, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) for vehicle tracking, and Face Recognition Systems (FRS) for access control are being piloted in select warehouses.
The initiative will encompass approximately 2,278 warehouses, including those owned by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), and those hired from state agencies or private entities. The Depot Darpan mobile app will enable supervisory officials to monitor warehouse performance on the go, facilitating data-driven decision-making and continuous improvements through automated reports.
