Designed to keep operations smooth, not stressful
A project serving farmers, SHGs, FPOs, fishers, floriculture units, and rural businesses must be designed for peace of mind. Not hype. Not panic. Just steady, predictable functioning.
The Mobile Thanda Godaam is engineered accordingly — with risks mapped in advance and easy backup plans built into every part of the system.
Below is the full risk-safe framework.
________________________________________
9.1 OPERATIONAL RISKS
Daily use issues — simple but important
1️ Power Cuts / Voltage Fluctuation
Risk: Temperature drift if outages are long.
Safety:
• Built-in stabilizer
• Battery backup for 3–6 hours
• Optional solar assist
• Auto-restore temperature controls
Backup Plan:
• Switch to auxiliary battery
• If required, shift to nearest powered site
• Keep critical goods in deep-freeze zone for buffer time
This was discussed with groups in Nagaland and Meghalaya where outages are common.
________________________________________
2️ Improper Loading / Overstocking
Risk: Airflow blockage → uneven cooling.
Safety:
• Adjustable racks avoid tight packing
• Operator training
• Airflow indicators in IoT dashboard
Backup Plan:
• Mid-cycle re-arrangement
• Reducing load temporarily
________________________________________
3️ Operator Error in Setting Temperatures
Risk: Wrong setting for delicate commodities.
Safety:
• Three preset modes: 14°C, 4°C, –14°C
• Lockable settings
• Alerts for abnormal fluctuations
Backup Plan:
• Remote correction via IoT dashboard
• Cooling reset in a single switch
________________________________________
4️ Load-Cell Misreading or Weight Disputes
Risk: Confusion during procurement.
Safety:
• Calibrated load-cell
• IoT-linked logs
• Printed receipts
Backup Plan:
• Manual cross-check with backup scale
________________________________________
9.2 TECHNICAL RISKS
Machinery, refrigeration & systems
1️ Compressor Overload / Failure
Risk: Rare but possible under extreme ambient conditions.
Safety:
• Multi-zone load distribution
• Auto-cutoff
• Thermal buffer packs
Backup Plan:
• Priority technician call
• Transfer perishable load to deep-freeze zone
• Temporary relocation of unit to shaded area
This approach was discussed with technicians in Andhra and Kerala.
________________________________________
2️ Insulation Wear & Tear (Long-term)
Risk: Moisture seepage → temperature drift.
Safety:
• Multi-layer blended insulation
• Moisture barriers
• Anti-fungal cladding
Backup Plan:
• Annual sealing & patch repairs
• Periodic inspection (part of AMC)
________________________________________
3️ IoT System Downtime
Risk: Temporary loss of data visibility.
Safety:
• Offline logging for 24 hours
• Manual operator notes
Backup Plan:
• Reset router
• Switch SIM card
• Use manual logbook until system auto-syncs
________________________________________
9.3 LOGISTICS & MOVEMENT RISKS
1️ Rough Road Movement / Minor Impacts
Risk: Vibration stress on the unit.
Safety:
• Marine-grade container
• Anti-vibration joints
• Corner reinforcements
Backup Plan:
• Move at slow speed
• Use tractor instead of small vehicles
• Reposition during daytime for visibility
________________________________________
2️ Weather Disruptions (Rain, Floods, Storms)
Risk: Access roads blocked; movement delayed.
Safety:
• MTG can function while stationary
• Elevated stand protects against waterlogging
Backup Plan:
• Shift goods to deeper chamber
• Reduce door openings
• Wait until safe access is restored
Discussed often in Assam and coastal Odisha where weather can change quickly.
________________________________________
9.4 MARKET & BUSINESS RISKS
1️ Sudden Price Crashes
Safety: MTG allows holding for 24–48 hours, avoiding distress sale.
Backup: Supply during late-night/next-day recovery window.
________________________________________
2️ Buyer Delays / Cancellations
Safety: Storage flexibility protects produce.
Backup: Alternate buyers / next mandi day / aggregator network.
________________________________________
3️ Low Utilisation in Off-Season
Safety: Diverse revenue streams (frozen foods, dairy, pharma).
Backup: Festival rentals, SHG-use cycles, reverse-load distribution.
________________________________________
9.5 COMMODITY-SPECIFIC RISKS
1️ Fish & Meat — Spoilage Risk
Safety: 4°C zone + low door openings + pre-cooling.
Backup: Transfer to deep-freeze zone temporarily.
________________________________________
2️ Flowers & Herbs — Wilting Risk
Safety: Dedicated 14°C mode.
Backup: Cold packs + water-bath pre-cooling.
________________________________________
3️ Frozen Goods — Thawing Risk
Safety: –14°C stable cooling with battery backup.
Backup: Reduce door usage + move goods deeper + disable mixed loading.
________________________________________
9.6 HUMAN RESOURCE RISKS
1️ Staff Turnover
Safety: Simple controls; 3-day training covers everything.
Backup: Maintain 1 extra trained helper/SHG youth.
________________________________________
2️ Mismanagement / Poor Temperature Discipline
Safety: IoT alerts + tamper logs.
Backup: Supervisor visits; disciplinary SOP.
________________________________________
9.7 SAFETY RISKS - PHYSICAL & FOOD SAFETY.
Physical Safety Measures
• Anti-slip flooring
• Well-lit interior
• Door alarm
• Safe electrical routing
• Earthing & RCCB
Food Safety Measures
• Regular sanitisation
• Crate cleaning
• Preventing raw-meat contact with fruits
• Drainage clearance
• Defrost cycles
________________________________________
9.8 FINANCIAL RISKS
1️ Repayment Burden
Safety: OPEX is low; utilisation is high.
Backup: Use festival/event rentals + reverse-load to smooth cash flow.
________________________________________
2️ Delayed Subsidies
Safety: Loan moratorium covers initial period.
Backup: Use revenue streams to sustain early months.
________________________________________
9.9 COMMUNITY & SOCIAL RISKS
1️ Conflict Over Access / Prioritisation
Safety: SOP: First-come-first-serve + token log + weight slip.
Backup: FPO-level scheduling committee.
________________________________________
2️ Misuse of Chilled Storage for Non-Eligible Goods
Safety: Clear rules; IoT temperature logs.
Backup: Fines / restricted access.
________________________________________
NEUTRAL VIEW:
The risk and safety structure of the Mobile Thanda Godaam project covers operational, technical, logistical, market, commodity-specific, human resource, safety, financial, and social risks. Backup plans rely on built-in engineering features such as battery support, multi-layer insulation, preset temperature modes, IoT monitoring, and modular movement. With simple SOPs, the risks remain manageable across agriculture, fishery, floriculture, dairy, frozen foods, and SHG enterprise applications.
MY OPINION:
This section shows why MTG feels “safe” to operate — not because risks don’t exist, but because every risk has a realistic, practical workaround. I love how the engineering and operations complement each other: when weather disrupts, the unit stays functional; when buyers delay, the goods stay safe; when power cuts strike, the battery jumps in; when operators slip, IoT logs everything. In my view, this is how rural technology should be built — less drama, more design, and enough breathing room for FPOs to run confidently.
