Upgrading the stores and plants that already exist.

Most of India's CA capacity in the hills was built in the first wave of horticulture-board investment and has run for many seasons. Panels have aged, doors no longer seal, refrigeration plant is past its efficient life and the chambers were sized for a market that has changed. A retrofit costs a fraction of a new store and can add capacity where land is scarce.

What we have done

For HPMC: Renovation of controlled atmosphere stores at two sites, at Jarol Tikkar and Gumma in Shimla district. Civil work for upgradation, expansion and strengthening of existing post-harvest infrastructure at Rohru. And upgradation of the existing fruit processing plant including design, supply, installation and testing of equipment, with civil work at Parwanoo, Solan.

For PWD Punjab at Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda: design and renovation of an existing building for cold store, warehouse and farmer recreation centre, including supply, installation, testing and commissioning of machinery.

Since the renovations, SAI BA has also held annual maintenance contracts for HPMC's CA stores at Gumma, Jarol Tikkar, Oddi and Rohru.

What a retrofit involves

1. A survey of the envelope, floor, doors and plant, with a record of where the chambers lose gas and heat.
2. A structural check if capacity is to be added by extending or raising the building.
3. A phased programme so part of the store stays in service through the work, planned around the harvest calendar.
4. Replacement of panels, doors, vapour barrier and penetration seals where they have failed, and re-sealing of the chamber.
5. Refrigeration, nitrogen and scrubber plant replaced or overhauled to the new chamber plan.
6. Commissioning of each chamber before it is loaded.

Why gas-tightness is a civil problem sets out what to inspect first.