This is the first time we are writing post ACREX 2015, where the first Refrigeration and Cold Chain Pavilion came into effect as conceptualized. We are reasonably happy with the outcome of the pavilion, considering that it had its set of hiccups being a first attempt, with some exhibitors not willing to be there owing to its location, display array, etc. However, as they say, all’s well that ends well. So it ended as a modest beginning, paving the way for a much bigger and better pavilion in ACREX 2016, which is bound to attract greater attention in view of the larger participation of exhibitors and visitors. An interesting point that came up in our constant endeavor to find newer ways of doing things was the possibility of creating a talent pool that will interact with the industry and get actual inputs on industry requirement in terms of training, and then use the information to organise a series of seminars, presentations and lectures. ISHRAE Pune has decided to take up such activity and its upcoming seminar ACR TrendZ due in September 2015, which is ISHRAE Pune’s annual flagship event, will accordingly have a new format. In terms of the cold chain industry scenario, it appears that the growth that had been expected for the last few years seems to have finally started, in a small but significant way. Many governments have now started giving further incentives (apart from those of the Central government) for new business set-ups, including the cold chain industry. These are being lapped up by the industry and newer projects are coming up. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has released a list of 20 Mega Food Parks and 30 cold chain projects for which approvals have been given and work is underway. Exports from the country, especially to European countries, now need to go through APEDA approved pack-houses only. There is a good chance that other countries will follow suit and require the same. This has highlighted the need for creation of pack-houses in India, and is in line with the direction taken by NCCD that the real need of the hour is good quality packhouses that will make Indian produce ready for the international market. As we mentioned during in the last edition of this column, International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has now
formally launched its Western India Chapter, and the installation and charter ceremony would have been held by the time this article is published. The Green Cold Chain movement promoted by us since 2006 is gaining acceptance the world over. Arvind Surange gave a talk in the ASHRAE Conference at Atlanta in July 2015 on the topic
‘Towards Green Cold Chain’. Many events took place in the last four months, but one of the notable events was the Asia Cold Chain Show that had significant
participation from India in terms of exhibitors as well as visitors. Teams of several cold storage associations from India including Maharashtra Cold Storage  Association, Navi Mumbai Association of Cold Storage Owners and associations from Delhi, UP, Indore, Telangana and Gujarat visited the show. A notable initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture is the Reefer Vehicle Call-in-centre (RVC) to provide toll free access to refrigerated transport operators for recording complaints about in-transit bottlenecks. It will also help in identifying en-route delays for reefer transporters. Further, the complaints will be centrally recorded for relevant action from state and central authorities to help in long-term corrective action to redress in-transit delays. It is a very positive step in the right direction, in our opinion. The toll-free telephone number of the call centre is 1800 267 6223.