New Delhi, March 24 (IANS): Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu Tuesday inaugurated the perishable cargo centre of the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR).

The minister inaugurated the perishable cargo centre at Adarsh Nagar station near Azadpur Sabzi Mandi here through video conferencing from Rail Bhavan, the railway ministry headquarters.

According to the minister, the ripening of fruits and cold storage facilities at the cargo centre will help the farmers get a good price.

The minister pointed out that CONCOR has implemented one of the announcements made in the Railway Budget by setting up this centre in such a very short period.

Minister of State (MoS) for Railways Manoj Sinha said the new centre will help reduce wastages cause by lack of proper cold chain facilities.

"This centre will be using latest state-of-the-art technology for ripening bananas in the first stage and mangoes thereafter in the healthier fashion," Sinha said.

"The setting up of this facility will serve as a stimulator and encourage similar facilities in the private sector. CONCOR will operate this facility at highest level of efficiency," Sinha added.

The railways added that the cargo centre has been developed at a total cost of Rs.10 crore and will offer facilities like washing and cleaning of raw banana and ripening-cum-cold rooms for fruits like banana and mango at competitive rates.