VALSAD

WR/ Press Release No 2021/05Mumbai, 25^th May, 2021

MUMBAI CENTRAL DIVISION OF WESTERN RAILWAY RUNS 100 KISAN RAILS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF CHIKOO

The Kisan Rails are an initiative to help farmers to send their perishable agro products to inter-state markets without any delay. Western Railway had run the first Kisan Rail o­n 24th November, 2020 between Laxmibai Nagar near Indore and New Guwahati. Mumbai Central Division made a debut of its first Kisan Rail o­n 28th January, 2021 from Dahanu Road station to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi, by kick starting chikoo traffic after 16 years, and now it has reached the century mark. This achievement has been possible with constant monitoring and motivation by Shri Alok Kansal, General Manager of Western Railway. He congratulated the team of Mumbai Central Division o­n this remarkable feat.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, the Kisan rails are benefitting all sections of farming community from Dahanu, Gholvad region in State of Maharashtra & Valsad, Udvada, Chikhli, Navsari, Amalsad region in State of Gujarat. The Kisan Rail operations & the scheme under ‘Operations Greens Schemes from Tomato, o­nion and Potato (TOP) to all fruits & vegetables (TOTAL) introduced and extended by MoFPI has played a pivotal role in helping the entire agricultural community. The farmers are able to venture long distance markets with ease of transportation facilities provided by Railways and thus receive fair price for their produce. The agricultural community prefers the rail services to obtain the benefits under MoFPI’s 50% subsidy scheme due to less hassles of paperwork & other formalities under IR operations. Further, the assured, quick services have brought paradigm shift in transportation of agricultural produce by rail. Shri Thakur said that the chikoo traffic which was recaptured after a gap of 16 years commenced o­n January 28th and picked up steam in March 2021. The cumulative revenue through this traffic is Rs 7.6 Cr.

Shri Thakur further added that Railways undertook integrated steps to get the traffic of chikoo o­n board.Amalsad station was opened for handling goods traffic. A ramp was created and motorable pathway made at Amalsad, to facilitate loading. Sustained marketing efforts were made to reach out to the farmers for transportation of their produce. Lighting facilities were improved at loading and unloading stations with RPF escorting these trains. The produce was transported mainly from Amalsad & Dahanu Rd to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi. Maintaining the time of arrival at Adarsh Nagar around midnight was a challenge, withtransit time of around 24-26 hrs; as the customer desired that the train reach between 00:00 hrs to 2:00 am, so as to directly catch the markets by 7:00 am in Delhi and it's periphery. Running o­n a Time Tabled schedule, Western Railway was able to achieve this goal with almost 95% accuracy. This success was achieved and made possible with the concerted efforts of BDU of Mumbai Division and various departments.

******

WESTERN RAILWAY TO EXTEND TRIPS OF 8 SPECIAL TRAINS

For the convenience of passengers and with a view to meet the travel demand, trips of 8 Special Trains are being extended.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, the details of the these trains are as under:

1.Train No. 09005/09006 Bandra Terminus – Barauni Special train o­n Special fare [2 Trips]

The trip of Train No. 09005 Bandra Terminus – Barauni Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 28^th May, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09006 Barauni – Bandra Terminus Special Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 31^st May, 2021 also.

2.Train No. 09035/09036 Mumbai Central – Manduadih – Dadar Superfast Special train o­n Special fare [2 Trips]

The trip of Train No. 09035 Mumbai Central – Manduadih Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 28^thMay, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09036 Manduadih – Dadar Special Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 30^th May, 2021 also.

3.Train No. 09117/09118 Mumbai Central – Bhagalpur Special train o­n Special fare [2 Trips]

The trip of Train No. 09117 Mumbai Central – Bhagalpur Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 28^thMay, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09118 Bhagalpur – Mumbai Central Special Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 31^st May, 2021 also.

4.Train No. 09193/09194 Mumbai Central – Gorakhpur Superfast Special train o­n Special fare [4 Trips]

The trips of Train No. 09193 Mumbai Central – Gorakhpur Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 24^th& 27^th May, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09194 Gorakhpur – Mumbai Central Special Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 26^th & 29^th May, 2021 also.

5.Train No. 09133/09134 Bandra Terminus – Ghazipur City – Valsad Superfast Special train o­n Special fare [2 Trips]

The trip of Train No. 09133 Bandra Terminus – Ghazipur City Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 26^thMay, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09134 Ghazipur City – Valsad Special Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 28^th May, 2021 also.

6.Train No. 09501/09502 Okha – Guwahati Special train o­n Special fare [2 Trips]

The trip of Train No. 09501 Okha – Guwahati Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 28^th May, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09502 Guwahati – Okha Special Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 31^st May, 2021 also.

7.Train No. 09135/09136 Surat – Bhagalpur – Ratlam Superfast Special train o­n Special fare [2 Trips]

The trip of Train No. 09135 Surat – Bhagalpur Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 26^th May, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09136 Bhagalpur – Ratlam Special Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 27^th May, 2021 also.

8.Train No. 09429/09430 Ahmedabad – Muzaffarpur Special train o­n Special fare [2 Trips]

The trip of Train No. 09429 Ahmedabad – Muzaffarpur Special Train has been extended and now it will also run o­n 24^th May, 2021. Similarly, the trip of Train No. 09430 Muzaffarpur – AhmedabadSpecial Train has been extended and now it will run o­n 25^th May, 2021 also.

The booking of Train No. 09005, 09035, 09117, 09193, 09133, 09501, 09135 & 09429 will open o­n 22^nd May, 2021 at nominate PRS counters & o­n IRCTC website.

Above fully reserved trains will run as Special Trains o­n Special Fare. For detailed information regarding timings of halts and composition, passengers may please visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in. It is worth mentioning that o­nly passengers having confirmed tickets will be permitted to board these special trains. Passengers are requested by Western Railway, to adhere to all norms, SOPs related to COVID-19 during boarding, travelling and at the destination.

*********