The Indian Railways has recently launched its first “Kisan Rail” from Devlali, Maharashtra to Danapur, Bihar. This initiative was previously announced as part of the 2020-21 budget plans. The Kisan Rail trains are a groundbreaking step in multifaceted commodity transport and aim to support farmers by providing a fast and effective method for transporting agricultural produce across the country.
Kisan Rails: A New Era in Multi Commodity Transport
Kisan Rails are a pioneering concept in the Indian railway system. They differ from previous special trains, such as the Banana Specials, which transported only a single type of commodity. The Kisan trains are designed to carry multiple types of goods simultaneously. Equipped with refrigerated coaches, they enable farmers to bring perishable items like vegetables and fruit to market within a short period of time.
Boosting Farmers’ Incomes and Ensuring Nationwide Reach
These trains can be seen as significant contributors towards achieving the objective of doubling farmers’ incomes by the year 2022. They aid farmers by enabling their agricultural products to reach from one corner of the nation to the other swiftly and efficiently. Importantly, the freight charges of these trains match with the parcel tariffs of normal trains; a feature that is expected to provide considerable financial help to farmers.
The Devlali-Danapur Train: A Cost and Time-Saving Service
The Devlali-Danapur train, which operates on a weekly basis, aims at lowering the transportation costs for farmers. Compared to road transport, it is expected to reduce costs by around Rs. 1000 per tonne. Furthermore, this train service is expected to curtail travel time by approximately 15 hours, making it a faster alternative for farmers.
Targeted Marketing Efforts and Accessibility
To ensure maximum utilization of this service, the Indian Railways is implementing aggressive marketing strategies. They are liaising with local farmers, loaders, Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMC), and individuals. Affected parties have been provided the facility to book their consignments directly on the trains. An added advantage is that there is no lower limit on the size of the consignment. Consignments ranging from 50-100 kgs can be booked from any stopping station to any other, offering complete flexibility to the users.
Compensation for Loss/Damage of Products
In case of loss or damage of products for any reason during transport, the Indian Railways has a well-established claim/compensation system in place. This ensures that those affected can obtain compensation for their losses and provides an additional layer of security for the goods transported.
The introduction of Kisan Rail trains symbolizes the commitment of the Indian Railways to support the agricultural sector. By offering a fast, flexible, and cost-effective solution for transporting produce across the nation, these trains could potentially revolutionize the way farmers distribute their goods. Through this initiative, the Indian Railways not only aids in achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022 but also fosters the growth of the nation’s agricultural sector.
