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-products, including milk, meat and fish. This is multi-commodity, multi-consignor/consignee, multi-loading/unloading transportation product which is aimed at providing a wider market to Kisan.
- The primary objective of running Kisan Rail trains is to increase the income in the farm sector by connecting production centers to markets and consumption centers.
- Railways have been actively pursuing with various stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, state governments, and local bodies to plan roll out of Kisan Rail services.
- Based on demand pattern and feedback received from stakeholders, Railways have so far operated Kisan Rail services on eighteen routes.
- The first Kisan Rail train was flagged-off on 07.08.2020 between Devlali (Mah) and Danapur (Bihar).
- These Kisan Rail trains are run on time-tabled paths, and their punctuality is strictly monitored to avoid any en-route detentions and delays.
- These services have been introduced on 18 (eighteen) routes so far.
- Till 22nd Jan, 157 services of Kisan Rail have been run, transporting more than 49,000 Tonnes of consignments.
- Routes on which Kisan Rail trains have been operated so far are as under:
| Route No. | From – To | Date of Inauguration |
| 1 | Devlali to Danapur (now Sangola to Muzaffarpur) | 07-08-2020 |
| 2 | Anantapur to Adarshnagar, Delhi | 09-09-2020 |
| 3 | Yeshwantpur to Nizamuddin | 19-09-2020 |
| 4 | Nagpur to Adarshnagar, Delhi | 14-10-2020 |
| 5 | Chhindwara to Howrah/New Tinsukia | 28-10-2020 |
| 6 | Sangola to Howrah (via Secunderabad) | 29-10-2020 |
| 7 | Sangola to Shalimar | 21-11-2020 |
| 8 | Indore to New Guwahati | 24-11-2020 |
| 9 | Ratlam to New Guwahati | 05-12-2020 |
| 10 | Indore to Agartala | 27-12-2020 |
| 11 | Jalandhar to Jirania | 31-12-2020 |
| 12 | Nagarsol to New Guwahati | 05-01-2021 |
| 13 | Nagarsol to Chitpur | 07-01-2021 |
| 14 | Nagarsol to New Jalpaiguri | 10-01-2021 |
| 15 | Nagarsol to Naugachia | 11-01-2021 |
| 16 | Nagarsol to Fatuha | 13-01-2021 |
| 17 | Nagarsol to Baihata | 19-01-2021 |
| 18 | Nagarsol to Malda Town | 20-01-2021 |
- Utilization of these services is being monitored on a regular basis to ensure optimal utilization of Railway stock (Parcel Vans).
- Primary commodities being transported via Kisan Rail are onion, tomato, oranges, potato, pomegranate, banana, custard-apple, carrots, capsicum, and other vegetables.
- Commodities booked via Kisan Rail trains are charged at ‘P’-scale of parcel tariff. Under Operation Greens – TOP to Total Scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries a subsidy of 50% is being granted on the transportation of fruits and vegetables via Kisan Rail.
- This subsidy is being granted upfront at the time of booking itself, to the consignors/farmers so that the benefit reaches the farmers without any hassles or procedural delays.
- A Detailed Project Report for running Kisan Rail trains is also under preparation, through M/s RITES, which will assess important aspects of the project so as to obtain efficiency and economies of scales.
Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
