GOUR MALDA

For giving boost to Agricultural sector in Marathwada region, South Central Railway has been playing an active role in creating awareness about the concept of Kisan Rail and operated its first Kisan Rail o­n 5th January 2021 from Nagarsol station. From then, within a short span of 09 months, the loading and transportation of Agricultural products by Kisan Rail has crossed more than o­ne lakh tonnes from Nagarsol railway station alone by operating 337 Kisan Rails to different destinations across the country.

The lion shares of the agricultural products transported from this station includes o­nions, while Grapes, Tomatoes and Water melons were also transported by these Kisan Rails. The Agricultural products have been mainly transported to the Eastern & North Eastern states of the country viz., New Guwahati, Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri Agartala, Baihata, Gour Malda, Naugachia, Dankuni, Dhupguri, Chitpur, Sankrail Goods Terminal and Fatuha etc.

Generally, transportation by Rail is convenient, fastest, hassle free and economical with least enroute damages especially for transporting to farthest places. In addition, Indian Railways with the co-ordination of Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India has extended 50% tariff concession for transportation of Agricultural products in Kisan Rails. The Zone is successful in creating awareness about all these factors among the farmers, traders, cargo operators and bulk transporters in around Marathwada region. This has helped in transporting more than o­ne lakh tonnes within nine months duration from a single station i.e Nagarsol.

The Kisan Rails generally consist of 10 to 12 parcel vans (VPs), each VP with carrying capacity of 23 tonnes. This has helped the farmers/ traders in loading their commodities in small to medium quantities with ease and convenience. It also helped the farming sector including traders, cargo operators in finding new avenues for marketing their farming produce across the country with better price appreciation at cheaper transportation cost. This is a win-win situation to both the customers as well as Railways.

Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway has expressed his happiness o­n transportation of more than o­ne lakh Agri products from Nagarsol station. He specially complimented the efforts of Nanded Division Team o­n operation of Kisan Rails o­n uninterrupted basis. He instructed the officials to continue the same tempo so that the famers and traders do not face any inconvenience in transporting their products through “Kisan Rail”.