Cold Storage Built With Crores/Lakhs Of Public Funds Lies Defunct For Four Years In Khowai.

Khowai, Tripura, 8th of September, 2026 :  With an investment of approximately ₹10–15 lakh, a scientifically designed cold storage facility was built at East Ramchandraghat Market under Khowai district. The initiative was aimed at supporting local farmers and vegetable traders by helping them preserve their produce and reduce post-harvest losses.

The cold storage was constructed to address the difficulties faced by local farmers and vegetable traders in preserving perishable produce. By providing proper storage facilities, the initiative was expected to reduce crop wastage, minimise financial losses, and help maintain a steady supply of vegetables in the local market.

According to local residents, nearly four years have passed since the construction of the cold storage, but the facility has still not become functional. As a result, local farmers and vegetable traders have reportedly been unable to use it for storing their perishable produce.

It is alleged that the cold storage has remained virtually unused for a long period. Farmers and traders, however, claim that if the facility were properly made operational, the vegetables produced could be stored and marketed as per demand. This would not only reduce the financial losses suffered by farmers but also ensure that the general public receives a steady supply of vegetables at the right time.

According to local residents, if an important infrastructure facility built with lakhs of rupees of government funds is not being put to use, questions naturally arise over how successful the expenditure of public money has been.

They further alleged that no effective initiative has been taken by the administration for a long time to make the cold storage operational.

Therefore, on behalf of the general public, vegetable traders, and farmers of East Ramchandraghat, a strong demand has been raised before the administration to take immediate steps to make the cold storage operational.

The local residents, vegetable traders, and farmers have urged the administration to inspect the cold storage at the earliest and take the necessary measures to make it operational. They have also demanded that the cold storage, which has remained non-functional for the past four years, be reopened immediately.