LOGISTICS
The logistics concept in our project is both advanced and complex, comprising "last mile distribution" over extended distances in remote areas.
This includes route and load planning, as well as managing multiple storage levels at several locations.
However, once everything is organized, the journey to the villages always becomes a wonderful adventure trip.
From Production To Last Mile Distribution
It's been quite a journey. Join us for a trip through the entire distribution chain from start to end.
LOADING AT PRODUCTION SITE
At the production site of the drinking water disinfectant, the canisters are loaded onto heavy-duty racks with a specialized “multi purpose design”.
These racks are capable of carrying approximately 2 tons of canisters each for the large truck transports.
Additionally, they are adaptable to smaller trucks for last-mile distribution and can also serve as shelves in our warehouses.
TRUCK TRANSPORT TO MEGHAT
A truck goes on its journey from the production site in Pune to Melghat. Each truck transports around 15 tons (or 15,000 liters) of drinking water disinfection to Melghat.
ARRIVAL IN MELGHAT
To access our central warehouse in Dharni/Melghat with the large trucks, public officials must temporarily cut off electricity in several streets to mitigate the risk posed by low-hanging power lines that could come into contact with the truck.
UNLOADING AT WAREHOUSE
With a lot of helping hands the large trucks are unloaded by hand at our central warehouse.
PLANNING VILLAGE DISTRIBUTIONS
In collaboration with our implementation partner, MAHAN Trust, our team strategizes the distribution to the villages.
Factors such as distances, travel time, required volumes per village, and the maximum load capacity of smaller trucks for the last-mile delivery have to be considered.
We utilize various digital tools to streamline and optimize this complex process.
LOADING OF SMALLER TRUCKS
Depending on the daily schedule, the smaller trucks are loaded with the necessary canister volume early in the morning.
Given the occasionally challenging road conditions in the forests and hilly areas of Melghat, the size of the trucks must be adjusted to accommodate the day's route.
JUNGLE SAFARI TO THE VILLAGES
Travelling through the beautiful natural landscapes of Melghat to the tribal villages is always a joy, combined with a feeling of adventure and discovery, while also hoping not to meet tigers, leopards, or bears too closely.
SURPRISES AND CHALLENGES
The journey through remote areas to the villages, often lasting hours, is filled with surprises and challenges. Regular occurrences like tire punctures are not uncommon.
However, with plenty of good spirits and "Jugad" (a special version of Indian creativity), our local drivers always manage to find a solution. As a result, time schedules may change…
ARRIVAL AT A VILLAGE
Our truck with the canisters and our car with the team reaches a village in Melghat.
As GPS and mobile connectivity is often not available in Melghat, we rely on our local truck drivers who know the area well.
DISTRIBUTION DAY
Now, project registration procedures, distribution of the canisters with drinking water disinfection, and the introduction event are commencing in the village.
It's always a gratifying feeling to leave a village after a long day of work. Sometimes, as we leave, the villagers play music or express other signs of gratitude, which is truly heartwarming and highly motivating for us.