NF Railway has been running Kisan Rail trains to and from the Northeast region with an aim to help local farmers and producers apart from transporters.
“It is an initiative by Indian Railways to boost the income of farmers by moving perishables like fruits and vegetables from production/surplus regions to consumption/deficient regions,” said Guneet Kaur, chief public relations officer (CPRO) in a statement.
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Indian Railways, with its pan-India network, forms an integral part of the government plan to raise incomes in the farm sector by encouraging transportation by rail.
This initiative is helping farmers/small aggregators/co-operative society benefit from swift transportation of their products across the country through rail.
It may be mentioned that as per the announcement made in the Union Budget 2020-21, Indian Railways has started running Kisan Rail train services, to transport perishables and agri-product, the statement said.
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The first Kisan Rail train was flagged-off on August 7, 2020 between Devlali (Maharastra) and Danapur (Bihar).
These Kisan Rail trains are run on time-tabled paths, and their punctuality is strictly being monitored to avoid any en-route detentions and delays.
“This is multi-commodity, multi-consignor/consignee, multi-loading/unloading transportation product which is aimed at providing wider market to our Kisans,” the NFR statement said.
There is no minimum limit on the quantity that can be booked, enabling small farmers to reach bigger and distant markets.
Perishable fruits like Mango, Banana, Guava, Kiwi, Litchi, Papaya, Mousambi, Orange, Mandarin (a variety of orange), Kinnow, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Jackfruit, Apple, Almond, Passion fruit, Pear, Sweet Potato and similar items can be easily transported.
Perishable vegetables like French beans, Bitter Gourd, Brinjal, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chillies (Green), Okra, Cucumber, Peas, Garlic, Onion, Potato, Tomato, Large Cardamom, Pumpkin, Ginger, Cabbage, Squash, Turmeric (dry), Turmeric (raw) and similar items can be easily transported.
Agro-products like Bamboo, Rubber, and Betel nuts, Raw-turmeric, Black Pepper, Mustard, Soybean, Tea and Mandarin (Orange variety) can be transported through Kisan Rail from the Northeast region.
Fifty per cent of subsidy in freight, which is borne by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), is being granted on transportation of fruits and vegetables through Kisan Rail services.
Presently the destinations like Agartala, Dimapur, Changsari, New Guwahati, Jorhat Town, Azara, Tinsukia are being covered by Kisan Rail in Northeast Frontier Railway.
For detail information one can contact Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Katihar at 9771441950; 2); Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Alipurduar at 9002052950; Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Rangiya at 9957554950; Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Lumding at 9957553950; Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager/Tinsukia at 9957555950; Dy.CCM/Rates/Maligaon at 9957550953; Area Manager/Badarpur at 9957553901 and Asst. Commercial Manager/Guwahati at 9957553954.
Northeast Frontier Railway hopes that active support & cooperation of all stake-holders will lead to an increase in the income of farmers in near future, the statement added.