Maligaon, August 8 (MExN): Indian Railways introduced first Kisan Rail from Devlali to Danapur on August 7, after a video conferencing flag-off by Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development and Panchyati Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar, a press release informed.
According to the release from the Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson, Subhanan Chanda, Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Indian Railways has put trains in service of farmers with the guidance and inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“This train will serve as a milestone in doubling farmers’ income,” Goyal stated, while adding that the railways and farmers have been at the forefront in the battle against COVID challenges
At present the train will run on weekly basis covering the journey of 1519 kms in 31:45 hrs, the release stated.
It may be mentioned that in the Union Budget 2020-21, Minister of Finance had made an announcement ‘to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of milk, meat, and fish’. It was also stated that the Indian Railways will set up a Kisan Rail to provide seamless supply chain of perishable produce. This train is another step towards realizing the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022, the release stated.
Indian Railways have earlier run single commodity special trains like Banana Specials etc, but this will be the first ever multi commodity trains and will carry fruits like pomegranate, banana, grapes etc and vegetables like capsicum, cauliflower, drumsticks, cabbage, onion, chillies etc,. the release stated.
“This train will help in bringing perishable agricultural products like vegetables, fruits to the market in a short period of time. The train with frozen containers is expected to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of fish, meat and milk,” it said.
