TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited (GSHCL) is all set to introduce fruit vending solar-powered cold carts, by September along the coastal areas. The fruits are to be sold at market rate by these vendors.
A total of 20 carts would be commissioned along the beach belts on trial basis, to attract tourists. Fruits such as apples, mangoes, grapes, bananas, papayas, oranges, etc would be sold at these carts.
Like vegetable carts, these fruit carts would also ne outsourced to locals for employment generation.
GSHCL Managing director Orlando Rodrigues said that after failing to kick off the project in 2011 as planned, the Board of Directors have now decided to launch the concept on a bigger scale.
The official said that initially the carts would be put up along the beach areas, as tourists mostly go for fresh and hygienic fruits and the price of the fruits would be similar to prevailing market rates.
“Depending upon the demand, these cards would be commissioned in the city and towns,” he said.
Rodrigues said that corporation is also toying with the idea of selling packed fruit pieces, which are also in demand. The corporation team would shortly be visiting places such as Vashi, Pune and Satara, to study the market.
Rodrigues said the solar-powered cold carts will have a capacity of storing 300 kgs produce and will also be operational during the monsoon since the battery can be charged electrically.
