Cold Chain Infrastructure is a concept and a logistics system that refers to a temperature-controlled supply chain, ensuring that perishable products are maintained within a specific temperature range from the point of origin to the final consumer. This system is vital for preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of temperature-sensitive goods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and pharmaceuticals.
The concept's origin in India can be traced back to the 1800s with the import of ice and the establishment of early cold stores, with one of the oldest multi-chamber cold stores installed in Pune in 1932 during the British rule. However, the modern, integrated approach began to take shape later, with the government launching the "Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure" scheme in 2008. The primary problem it solved was the massive post-harvest loss of perishable commodities, which was estimated to be a financial burden of around ₹92,651 crore (US$ 10.78 billion) annually.
The mechanism works by creating an uninterrupted, temperature-controlled environment from the farm gate to the consumer. Key components include pre-cooling units, multi-product/multi-temperature cold storage, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage, and refrigerated transport like reefer vans. Financial assistance for this infrastructure is provided under the "Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure" scheme, which is a component of the umbrella scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), approved in 2017. This scheme offers grants-in-aid of 35% of the eligible project cost in general areas and 50% in difficult areas, up to a maximum of ₹10 crore per project.
The cold chain connects to several related institutions and concepts, most notably the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), which manages the PMKSY. It is also linked to the National Horticulture Board (NHB), which administers a capital investment subsidy for cold storage for horticultural products. A significant recent change is the continued focus and financial commitment, with the Government of India approving the continuation of PMKSY with an allocation of ₹4600 Cr until March 2026. Furthermore, the government is planning to overhaul pharmaceutical storage rules to classify drugs as thermostable or thermolabile to enhance handling standards for products like vaccines, as the current Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, lacks these specific classifications.