Hyderabad: South Central Railway (SCR) started its first Kisan rail in Telangana State from Warangal to Barasat on Monday to assist the farm sector in marketing their agricultural produce for better price realization by providing cost effective transportation.
The first Kisan Rail from Telangana has been loaded with Turmeric from Warangal station in Secunderabad Division. The rail has been loaded with 230 tons of Dry Turmeric in 10 Parcel Vans (VPS) and is being transported to Barasat station of Sealdah Division in West Bengal.
The Govt. of India has started the concept of running Kisan Rails for boosting the income of the farm sector while providing hassle-free, safe & fast transport services for the marketing of the Agriculture sector. To further encourage the farmers, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries announced the extension of 50% tariff concession on the transportation of notified fruits and vegetables through Kisan Rail trains, under “Operation Greens – TOP to Total”. Accordingly, SCR’s first Kisan rail from Telangana was also given a 50% tariff concession for transporting turmeric under this scheme.
READ ALSO| 3 CR Litres of Milk Shipped from AP to Delhi by South Central Railway
Warangal District is a hub for the cultivation of agricultural produce, especially commercial crops. So far, this agricultural produce is being transported from Warangal to different parts of the country through Roadways which is a tedious task and prone to enroute losses.
To overcome this, the freight Team of the Secunderabad Division conducted regular meetings with the farmers/trading community making them aware of the ease of benefits of loading their produce by Kisan rails tariff advantages, hassle-free and fast transportation.
The 50% concession being offered in the base freight for the Kisan Rail is much beneficial for the farmers as compared to other modes of transport. All these continuous marketing efforts have led to the starting of the first Kisan Rail from Telangana state, with the farmers/traders showing interest in transportation of their commodities by train instead of roadways.
READ ALSO| First Cargo Express of Indian Railways to start from South Central Railway
Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway has complimented the entire freight team involved in materializing the operation of Kisan Rail successfully from Warangal station. He also appealed to the farmers and traders to utilize this opportunity of Kisan Rail specials by availing special concessions and facilities being offered by Railways.
READ ALSO| South Central Railway to Run 36 summer special trains
He assured the farmers and traders that Railways will extend full support and encouragement for hassle-free transportation of their farm produce and requested to utilize the Kisan Rails scheme which will immensely benefit the Agricultural sector.
