Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Launches ‘Anna Chakra’ PDS Supply Chain Optimization Tool
New Delhi : Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, unveiled the ‘Anna Chakra’ PDS Supply Chain Optimization Tool today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, hosted by the Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD), was attended by representatives from the Union and state governments, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and IIT Delhi.
Developed by the Public Systems Lab (PSL) at IIT Delhi in collaboration with the WFP, ‘Anna Chakra’ is a transformative technology aimed at enhancing the efficiency of India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), which benefits over 81 crore people.
About ‘Anna Chakra’
This cutting-edge tool uses Operations Research (OR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to optimize PDS logistics, making food distribution more efficient and sustainable. Key features include:
- Annual Cost Savings: An estimated ₹250 crores with no additional capital expenditure.
- Environmental Impact: Reduced emissions aligning with India’s global climate commitments.
- Integrated Planning: Seamless integration with the PM Gati Shakti platform for comprehensive logistics optimization.
Significance of the Launch
The launch of ‘Anna Chakra’ is a major step in India’s journey toward a smarter and more sustainable food distribution system. Speaking at the event, Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasized the importance of leveraging technology for public welfare and highlighted the tool’s potential to redefine supply chain management globally.
Future Vision
IIT Delhi expressed its vision to expand supply chain optimization into other government sectors and share this model internationally, demonstrating India’s leadership in scalable, tech-driven solutions for public systems.
This milestone showcases India’s commitment to harnessing technology to improve food security, ensure cost-effective operations, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
