IIT Roorkee's Air-Cooled Pushcart that Keeps Veggies Fresh for Days

In the busy markets of India, sabziwalas (vegetable vendors) are a familiar sight. They roam in narrow streets and colonies, pushing carts with fresh vegetables and fruits. But the hot climate of India quickly rots all vegetables, forcing them to sell at lower prices or just throw them away as waste which leads to significant losses. This is a common challenge for hawkers across India. However, an exciting and innovative air-cooled pushcart from IIT Roorkee promises to change the game for these hardworking vendors.

Sustainable Cooling Solution for Hawkers

IIT Roorkee has developed a creative hawker cooling solution—an air-cooled pushcart that helps preserve fruits and vegetables for up to 2-3 days. The design uses an evaporative cooling system, which lowers the cart’s internal temperature by 10-15°C while maintaining 85% humidity, creating an ideal environment to keep produce fresh.

How It Works: Simple, Yet Effective

The air-cooled pushcart was designed keeping both in mind, the hawker's need and the environment-friendliness. The innovation uses the natural principle of evaporative cooling. Air passes through water-soaked pads, reducing the temperature inside the cart. This creates the right atmosphere for perishable goods, which otherwise spoil quickly in the heat. 

The cart also features a lightweight cabinet with a transparent window, giving hawkers ample space to display their vegetables while keeping them cool and protected from direct sunlight.

Empowering Indian Hawkers While Supporting Livelihoods

IIT Roorkee hawker cart innovation is not just limited to vegetables. Its design can be adapted for use by fruit sellers and even fast-food vendors, further extending its impact across various sectors of street vending. Priced at around Rs. 40,000, the air-cooled pushcart offers excellent value considering its potential to increase a hawker’s daily income by preserving their stock for longer. 

Even in India's hottest states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, hawkers can focus on improving their livelihoods instead of worrying about rapid spoilage using this cart with the ability to store fresh produce for days. With its eco-friendly design and practical utility, this air-cooled pushcart has the potential to improve food security, reduce waste, and empower countless street vendors across India.