Indian Railways operates Kisan Rail services on 18 routes so far

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.

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Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR