6 Trains from (KXJ)KARIMGANJ JN to (ABSA)AMBASA

Maligaon, 17^th May, 2023:

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has been continuously striving to provide a safer, faster and more comfortable travelling experience to the people of the North Eastern region. For that the conventional ICF model rake of train no. 02502/02501 (Agartala – Kolkata - Agartala) special has been converted to a fully Air Conditioned LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch)rake. The train with LHB coaches was flagged off o­n 17^th May, 2023 from Agartala Railway Station at 07:30 hrs by Kumari Pratima Bhoumik, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment. Shri Prem Ranjan Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager, Lumding along with other senior officials of division were also present at Agartala Railway Station during the flagging off ceremony.

The train no. 02502 (Agartala - Kolkata) special will depart from Agartala o­n every Wednesday for eight trips from 17^th May to 05^thJuly, 2023 at 07:30 hours to reach Kolkata at 15:00 hours o­n the next day. In return direction, train no. 02501 (Kolkata – Agartala) special will depart from Kolkata o­n every Sunday for eight trips from 21^st May to 09^thJuly, 2023 at 21:40 hours to reach Agartala at 05:15 hours o­n Tuesday.

During it’s both ways journey, the special train will run via New Karimganj Jn., New Haflong, Guwahati, Goalpara Town, New Alipurduar, New Jalpaiguri Jn, Kishanganj, Malda Town, Azimganj Jn and Bandel Jn. The train will run with a revised composition consisting of 13 LHB coaches. It will have eleven state of the art AC-3 Economy Class coaches for the convenience of the passengers with two Luggage cum Generator coaches.

The newly converted coaches will be of LHB rake with AC-3 Economy coaches which is safer and more comfortable as compared to the earlier ICF coaches. These coaches have improved and modular design of seats and berth. The AC-3 Economy has 2 side berths, making it a total of 8 berths per compartment, thereby leading to increased number of seats. Moreover, the fare structure for AC-3 Economy is roughly 8% lesser than 3 AC coaches. So, passengers can travel in much cheaper than 3 AC coaches.

Further, the services of train no. 02518/02517 (Guwahati – Kolkata – Guwahati) has been extended for another eight trips. The train no. 02518 (Guwahati - Kolkata) special will depart from Guwahati o­n every Saturday for eight trips from 20^th May to 08^th July, 2023 at 21:00 hours to reach Kolkata at 15:00 hours o­n the next day. In return direction, train no. 02517 (Kolkata – Guwahati) special will depart from Kolkata o­n every Thursday for eight trips from 18^th May to 06^th July, 2023 at 21:40 hours to reach Guwahati at 16:15 hours o­n the next day.

The details of stoppages and timings of these trains are available at IRCTC website and through NTES and are also being notified in various newspapers and social media platforms of N.F. Railway. Passengers are requested to verify the details before undertaking their journey.

In Tamil Nadu jurisdiction of Southern Railway, there are 95 Railway stations with ‘One Station o­ne Product’ stalls

Objective is to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ vision, provide a market for local/indigenous products

In Tamil Nadu, a total of 593 Artisans, Weavers, Craftsmen and members of marginalized sections are the beneficiaries under OSOP Scheme since inception

Southern Railway launched ‘One Station o­ne Product’ (OSOP) scheme across various stations in its jurisdiction with the objectives to promote ‘Vocal for Local’ vision of the Government of India, provide a market for local/indigenous products and create additional income opportunities for the marginalised sections of society.

Under this scheme, OSOP outlets at railway stations are allotted for showcasing, selling and giving high visibility to indigenous /local products. The pilot scheme was started o­n 25.03.2022. As o­n 15.05.2023,  there are 95 OSOP stalls in various Railway stations in the State of Tamil Nadu and 2 OSOP Stalls in the Union Territory ofPuducherry (Annexure-A). These OSOP outlets are designed through National Institute for uniformity.

Product Features:

The products showcased in ‘One Station o­ne Product’ outlets are specific to that place and include artefacts made by indigenous tribes, handlooms by local weavers, handicrafts like world famous Kanchipuram silk sarees, tanjoredolls,Kovilpatti peanut burfis, spices tea, coffee and other processed/semi processed food items/products indigenously grown in the area. Product categories, under this scheme, broadly include the following:

1. Handicrafts/ Artefacts
2. Textiles and Handlooms
3. Traditional Garments
4. Local agricultural produce (including Millets)/ Processed/semi processed foods.

Beneficiaries:

In the state of Tamil Nadu, the OSOP scheme has provided business opportunities for 593 beneficiaries since inception.

The beneficiary desirous of running OSOP outlets should be a holder of Artisan/Weaver ID card issued by Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Development Commissioner Handloom, or by the requisite State/Central Government Authority or Individual artisans/weavers/craftsmen enrolled/registered with TRIFED/ NHDC/KVIC etc. or Self Help Groups registered with PMEGP or any eligible member of marginalized/ weaker sections of society.

Keeping in mind the objective of this scheme, a transparent mechanism is being followed for allotment of outlets. An Expression of Interest is invited from interested artisan, weavers and other eligible persons. Selection is made based o­n draw of lots by a committee formed at station level for this purpose. The eligible party (beneficiary) shall set up a stall at Railway station to sell local/indigenous products for 15 days, o­n payment of a nominal token fee remitted along with the application.

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 P.S.: Annexure-A

                                                                                                                        Annexure-A

List of railway stations with o­ne Station o­ne Product (OSOP) Stalls in the state of Tamil Nadu & Union Territory of Puducherry