India’s first Kisan Rail, a special train meant to transport farmers’ perishable agriculture produce, was flagged off today by Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of India.
The Kisan Rail was announced in the Union Budget 2020-21 to help farmers cheaply and effectively transport their produce to consumption markets.
Train no 00107 Weekly Kisan Rail will depart Devlali at 11.00 hrs every Friday and reach Danapur at 18.45 hrs next day.
Train no 00108 Weekly Kisan Rail will depart Danapur at 12.00 noon every Sunday and will reach Devlali at 19.45 hrs next day.
This train will have 10 parcel vans and one luggage cum brake van.
Kisan Rail will cover a distance of 1519 kms in 31.45 hrs on a single trip. It will halt at Nasik Road, Manmad Jn, Jalgaon, Bhusaval Jn, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Satna, Katni, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt.Deen Dayal Upadhyay Jn and Buxar.
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar while addressing said that the Kisan Rail announced in the budget under the visionary plan envisaged by Hon’ble Prime Minister is a welcome step. The smooth transportation of agriculture produces to far-reaching areas so that the perishables are not destroyed been kept in mind in announcing the Kisan Rail.
During the lockdown when everything was stopped, the farmers and railways have never stopped. Harvest of farmers were transported by railways and helped the Nation in achieving the goal of agricultural produce.
Shri Piyush Goyal while addressing said that Hon’ble Prime Minister reiterated that Railways is the growth engine of the Nation. Railways and Agriculture both worked even during lockdown and ensured the food grains reached every nook and corner of the country.
He also said the “apples of Kashmir can be transported by railways to Kanyakumari”. The first train in India ran from Mumbai in 1853 and similarly the first Kisan Rail is also being run from Central Railway.
Shri Chhagan Bhujbal, Hon’ble Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, Government of Maharashtra and Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra legislative Assembly also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier Shri Vivek Kumar Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager, Bhusaval Division gave the vote of thanks. A small film on Kisan Rail was also shown on this occasion.
Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, Government of India presided over the function. Shri Suresh Angadi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways, Shri Raosaheb Danve, Hon’ble Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Kailash Choudhary, Hon’ble Ministers of State of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Shri Devendra Fadvanis, Hon’ble Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Shri Chhagan Bhujbal, Hon’ble Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, Govt of Maharashtra, Hon’ble Members of Parliament Shri Hemant Godse, Dr.Bharati Pawar, and Dr.Narendra Jadhav, along with Smt. Saroj Ahire, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Shri Purnendu Mishra, Member Traffic, Railway Board graced the function through video link. Shri Sanjeev Mittal, General Manager, Central Railway welcomed the dignitaries and presented the welcome address.
The Kisan Rail – Background
As announced in the current year’s Budget to start “Kisan Rail” in order to provide a seamless supply chain of agricultural and perishable produce, the Ministry of Railways is introducing the first Kisan Rail from Devlali to Danapur on 07.08.2020.
The Bhusaval Division of Central Railway is primarily an Agro based area, where there is a huge produce of vegetables (especially onions), fruits, flowers and other agro products and there is a huge demand for these produce in the Patna-Allahabad- Katni- Satna region. The Kisan Rail will provide a good market to the farmers for their produce. Aggressive marketing is being done by Central Railway with co-ordination of local farmers, businessmen and APMC so that maximum farmers can benefit.
Ministry of Railways Official Statement:
Indian Railways introduced first “Kisan Rail” from Devlali to Danapur today on 07/08/2020 from Devlali. The train was flagged off via video conferencing by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development and Panchyati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal.
The event was attended by Minister of State of Railways, Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Minister of State of Panchayati Raj, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala, Minister of State of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Chaudhary, Minister of State of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Rao Saheb Patil Danve, Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, Government of Maharashtra, Shri Chhagan Bhujbal, and other dignitaries.
The train will run on weekly basis with initial composition of 10 +1 VPs. The train will reach Danapur at 18:45 hrs. tomorrow covering the journey of 1519 kms. in 31:45 hrs.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said, “It is a great day for farmers. Kisan Rail was announced in the budget. Agriculture produce needs best possible distribution and returns. Indian farmers have proved that they would never be deterred by any calamity or challenge. Kisan Rail will ensure that agro products reach from one corner to another corner of the country. This train will also benefit the farmers and the consumers.”
Kisan Rail will be game changer in ensuring a fast transportation of agriculture produce across the nation. Shri Tomar praised Indian Railways for maintenance of foodgrains supply chain during Covid times.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal said, “Indian Railways has put trains in service of Farmers. It was the guidance and inspiration by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji that Indian Railways have started Kisan Rail. This train will serve as a milestone in doubling Farmers’ income. Indian Railways and Farmers had been forefront in battle against Covid challenges. Foodgrains freight was doubled during the period. Interest of Indian Farmers is being looked after like never before. I am looking forward to see the day when apples of Kashmir reach Kanyakumari through Kisan Rail.”
Over Central Railway, Bhusawal Division is primarily an Agro based division. Nasik and surrounding region produces huge quantity of fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, other perishables, onions and other agro products. These perishables are mainly transported to areas around Patna, Prayagraj, Katni, Satna etc.
This train has been provided scheduled halts at Nasik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Satna, Katni, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar and Buxar.
The chargeable rates for major pair of stations are as under:
Freight per Tonne:
| Nasik Road/Devlali to Danapur | Rs. 4001 |
| Manmad to Danapur | Rs. 3849 |
| Jalgaon to Danapur | Rs. 3513 |
| Bhusawal to Danapur | Rs. 3459 |
| Burhanpur to Danapur | Rs. 3323 |
| Khandwa to Danapur | Rs. 3148 |
Indian Railways aims to help double farmers’ income with the launch of Kisan Rail. 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.
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. Aggressive marketing is being done with local farmers, loaders, APMC and individuals. Demand is being aggregated. It is expected that the train will be patronised well and will be a great help to the farmers, as freight of this train will be charged as per parcel tariff of normal train (P Scale).