Kisan Trains by Indian Railway
Indian Railways have started Kisan Rail with a motive to encourage the villagers and farmers. Kisan Rail will ensure that agro-products reach from one corner to another corner of the country. Under the Indian Railway’s Kisan Rail Project, potential circuits for movement of vegetables, fruits, and other perishables are being identified in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Fisheries Departments of State Governments. The assessment is being done on the basis of seasonal availability of these items for both-way traffic, so as to obtain efficiency and economies of scale.
The first train under Kisan Rail scheme – between Devlali (Mah) and Danapur (Bihar) – was flagged off by Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar on 07.08.2020. This train has subsequently been extended to run between Sangola (Mah) and Muzaffarpur (Bihar). The 100th trip under Kisan Rail scheme – between Sangola (Mah) and Shalimar (WB) – was flagged off by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 28th December 2020. Till 18th June 2021, a total of 850 trips of Kisan Rail trains were operated on 60 routes, transporting more than 2.7 lakh Tonnes of consignments. Kisan Rail runs on time-tabled path, thereby ensuring assured transit time to the farmers/farm produce aggregators. Avoiding delay and detention, it ensures that the produce stays fresh upon arrival in a distant market. Following are the details of Kisan Rail by Indian Railway.
- Kisan Rail : A Boon For Farmers
- Salient features of Kisan Rail
- List of Kisan Rail Routes
- Kacheguda station – Agartala : Kisan Rail
- Nagarsol – Chitpur : Kisan Rail
- Chintamani – New Delhi : Kisan Rail ~ 29.06.2021
- Karnataka’s First Kisan Rail Train Flagged off From Kolar ~ 19.06.2021
- Agartala – Howrah – Sealdah: North East Frontier Railway (NFR) Kisan Rail
- Warangal – Barasat : First Kisan Rail from Telangana State
- Sangola-Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi-Daund Bi-Weekly Kisan Rail
- First Kisan Rail from Nagarsol in Nanded Division
- Tarakeswar – Dimapur : First Kisan Railway of Eastern Railway
- Orange Kisan Rail: Nagpur-Adarsh Nagar Delhi Kisan Rail
- Link Kisan Rail: Sangola-Secunderabad-Solapur : Weekly Link Kisan Rail
- First Kisan Rail: Devlali – Danapur: First Kisan Rail
- Second Kisan Rail: Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh) – Adarsh Nagar (New Delhi): South India’s First “Kisan Rail”
- Third Kisan Rail: KSR Bengaluru – H.Nizzamuddin: Kisan Rail Special Trains
- Grant of 50% Subsidy to Kisan Rail Trains
- Operation Greens – TOP to Total Scheme Mandarin and Turmeric Included ~ Updated 16.02.2021
2,359 Kisan Rail by Indian Railway ~ Total List
1000th Trip of Kisan Rail of Central Railway Flagged Off ~ 03.02.2022
Kisan Rail : Subsidy of 50% on Fruits and Vegetables
Up to 30th July 2021 a total of 1040 Kisan Rail services have been operated over 72 routes across the country, transporting approximately 3.38 lakh tonnes of consignment.
Salient features of Kisan Rail
- Enables movement of perishables including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fishery, and dairy products from the production or surplus regions to consumption or deficient regions;
- The speedy movement ensures minimum damage during transit;
- Enables farmers to utilize the vast railway network to gain access to distant, bigger, and more lucrative markets;
- 50 percent subsidy is given in freight (being borne by Ministry of Food Processing Industries under ‘Operation Greens – TOP to Total’ scheme) for transportation of fruits and vegetables;
- Based on the concept of multi-commodity, multi consignor, multi consignee, multi stoppages, time-tabled trains – to help small farmers with lesser produce also to transport their consignment without any middleman;
- No minimum limit on the quantity that can be booked, enabling even small and marginal farmers to reach bigger and distant markets;
- End-consumers (at bigger cities and consumption centers) get fresher produce at cheaper prices, due to a reduction in transportation time as well as costs.
In compliance with the announcement made in Union Budget 2020-21, Kisan Rail trains have been introduced by Indian Railways – to move perishables and farm-produce (including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fishery, and dairy products) from production or surplus regions to consumption or deficient regions.
Kisan Rail : A Boon For Farmers
List of Kisan Rail Routes
Kacheguda station – Agartala : Kisan Rail
South Central Railway announced on 25.08.2021 that for the first time Kisan Rail has been transported from Kacheguda station of Hyderabad Division in Telangana state. A total of 284 Tonnes of onions have been loaded in 12 Parcel Vans (VPUs) and despatched to Agartala Railway station in Tripura State. The freight customers have been granted 50% tariff concession provided by the Union Ministry of Food processing Industries under the scheme “Operation Greens – TOP to Total”. The total revenue generated through this Kisan Rail is Rs 18.3 Lakhs. In fact, this is the first Kisan Rail from the capital city area of Telangana.
The Zone is striving its best to take forward the Kisan Rail concept introduced by Indian Railways in association with Ministry of Food Processing Industries in order to give boost to the Agricultural sector and farming community. The BDU team of SCR headquarters and the Divisional Officials have been successful in explaining the benefits of Kisan Rail to the freight customers. This has helped the farmers, traders and other cargo aggregators for transporting their products to any station across the Indian Railways with reasonably lesser freight charges. It also facilitates for marketing their produce at farthest places of the country for getting better price appreciation. Apart from getting concession in the freight charges, transportation through rail ensures safe and secure handling with less enroute damages and provides fastest travel facility. All these efforts have resulted in transporting the first Kisan Rail of Hyderabad Division from Kacheguda station to North Eastern parts of the country, where there is lot of demand for onions.
Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway has appreciated Hyderabad Division Officials for the efforts in capturing the new commodity for loading through Kisan Rail from Kacheguda station, which is in the heart of Hyderabad city. He stated that the Zone is always ready to extend any type of assistance to the farmers and traders in transportation of Kisan Rails from any suitable station of the Zone to the freight customers.
Nagarsol – Chitpur : Kisan Rail
The 300th Kisan Rail from South Central Railway has been flagged-off from Nagarsol in Maharashtra to Chitpur in West Bengal. The rake has been loaded with 246 tonnes of onions.
Chintamani – New Delhi : Kisan Rail ~ 29.06.2021
South Western Railway announced that Chief Minister Shri BS Yediyurappa flagged off the Kisan Rail from Chintamani to New Delhi on 29.06.2021. Hon’ble CM flagged off the Kisan Rail from Yelahanka Railway Station. He stated that farmers will be able to get access to markets located in faraway places and be able to realize better and higher prices for their produce. This particular Kisan Rail Train would reach Delhi (a distance of 2300 km) in 38-48 hours from Chintamani, Kolar.
Karnataka’s First Kisan Rail Train Flagged off From Kolar ~ 19.06.2021
South Western Railway announced that the first Kisan Rail Train of Karnataka, was started on 19.06.2021 in the presence of Hon’ble MP Kolar Shri S Muniswamy, Hon’ble MLA Chintamani Shri M Krishna Reddy, Divisional Railway Manager Shri Ashok Kumar Verma from Doddanatta Halt Station (Chintamani), Kolar district for Adarsh Nagar Station, Delhi. The train is carrying 250 Tonnes of Mango grown in Kolar region.
The transportation of fruits and vegetables by Kisan Rail are granted a subsidy of 50% on the tariff chargeable, by Ministry of Food Processing and Industries, so that farmers are benefited by the same.
Kisan Rail Trains will help in transporting perishables, agri-produce such as fruits and vegetables to the markets in various places across the country. This in turn will enable farmers/producers realise better value for their products.
Alipurduar Jn. Division : NFR Kisan Rail
North East Frontier Railway announced that it has been decided to run one integrated Kishan Special Train from the following stations of Alipurduar Jn. Division for transportation of potatoes w.e.f 12.02.2021.
Agartala – Howrah – Sealdah: North East Frontier Railway (NFR) Kisan Rail
The North-East Frontier Railway (NFR) will be running Kisan special trains from Agartala to Howrah and Sealdah, a famous Online Newspaper announced on 11.02.2021. The Kisan special train will leave from Agartala at 1915 hours once a week on Thursday and will reach Sealdah on Saturday. The statement issued by Subhanan Chanda, chief PRO North-East frontier railway said that the railways have started running these Kisan special train services to transport perishables and agricultural products, including milk, meat, and fish. “This multi-commodity, multi-consignor/consignee, multi-loading/unloading transportation product is aimed at providing a wider market to our Kisans,” the statement said.
Warangal – Barasat : First Kisan Rail from Telangana State
South Central Railway announced that Railway starts its first Kisan rail from Telangana State on 08.02.2021 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.
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.
Sangola-Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi-Daund : Bi-Weekly Kisan Rail
Central Railway has decided to run Kisan Rail between Sangola-Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi-Daund on bi-weekly basis with effect from 06.2.2021. The details are as under:
- Train No.00101Kisan Rail will depart Sangola every Tuesday and Saturday at 16.50 hrs from 06.2.2021to 27.2.2021 and reach Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi at 01.30 hrs third day.
- Train No.00102Kisan Rail will depart Adarsh Nagar, New Delhi every Monday and Thursday at 11.00 hrs from 08.2.2021to 01.3.2021 and reach Daund at 16.00 hrs the next day.
Halting
Kurduvadi, Daund, Manmad, Bhusaval,Itarsi, Jhansiand Hazrat Nizamuddin
Composition
Three parcel vans and one luggage cum Guard’s brake van from Sangola, Three parcel vans from Kurduvadi, and 18 parcel vans from Bhusaval.
Tarakeswar – Dimapur : First Kisan Railway of Eastern Railway
Eastern Railway flagged off its first Kisan Rail Special train from Tarakeswar to Dimapur on 29.1.2021. There is a facility for loading the agro products from en route stations. The farmers can unload their booked consignments at intermediate stations also.
- Train No.00329 Tarakeswar-Dimapur Kisan Rail Special train is a weekly train that will run up to 30.07.2021. This train will leave Tarakeswar at 10:00 hrs. on every Friday up to 30.07.2021 to reach Dimapur at 16:30 hrs. on the next day.
- Train No.00330 Dimapur- Tarakeswar Kisan Rail Special (weekly) will leave Dimapur at 21:30 hrs. on every Saturday between 30.01.2021 & 31.07.2021 to reach Tarakeshwar at 07:10 hrs. on the 3rd day.
Halting
Bandel, Ambika Kalna, Nabadwip Dham, Purbasthali, Katwa, Azimganj, Azimganj City, Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, New Coochbehar, New Bongaigaon, Guwahati & Lumding enroute in both directions.
First Kisan Rail from Nagarsol in Nanded Division
The first train has been loaded from Nagarsol in Nanded Division to Guwahati. 50% Tariff Concession granted for transporting through Railways.
The first Kisan Rail of Nanded Division has been scheduled to leave Nagarsol station at 17.30 hrs of today i.e., 5th January 2021 with 22 Parcel vans each with a capacity of 23 tonnes. The train will reach New Guwahati Goods complex at 21.00 hrs of 7th January 2021 with a load of around 522 tonnes of onions covering the distance of 2500 Kms in a short span of 50 hours.
Orange Kisan Rail : Nagpur-Adarsh Nagar Delhi
Indian Railway flagged off the inaugural run of Orange Kisan Rail from Nagpur to Adarsh Nagar Delhi on 14.10.2020. The details of the inaugural run of Orange Kisan Rail were as under-
- Train no 00101 Weekly Kisan Rail Nagpur depart at 18.00 hrs arrive Adarsh Nagar Delhi at 15.40 hrs next day. Inaugural Orange Kisan Rail left at 18.10 hrs on 14.10.2020.
- Train no 00102 Weekly Kisan Rail depart Adarsh Nagar Delhi at 10.00 hrs on 16.10.2020 arrive Nagpur at 04.40 hrs next day.
- The regular service of Orange Kisan Rail will be notified in due course.
- This train will have 10 parcel vans and one luggage cum brake van.
- This Kisan Rail covers a distance of 1106 kms approx. in 20 hrs on a single trip. The train will halt at Katol, Narkhed, Pandhurna, Betul, Itarsi and Jhansi.
Sangola-Secunderabad-Solapur : Weekly Link Kisan Rail
Central Railway announced that due to overwhelming demand, Central Railway has decided to run link Kisan Rail from Sangola to Secunderabad and Secunderabad to Solapur on weekly basis with effect from 01.10.2020. This link Kisan Rail will be attached/detached to Train no 00759/00760 Secunderabad-Howrah Parcel Train at Secunderabad. The details are as under:
- Train No.00121 Link Kisan Rail will depart Sangola every Thursday at 11.00 hrs from 01.10.2020 to 24.12.2020 and reach Secunderabad at 20.00 hrs same day.
- Train No.00122 Link Kisan Rail will depart Secunderabad every Monday at 23.45 hrs from 05.10.2020 to 28.12.2020 and arrive Solapur at 06.00 hrs next day.
Halting
Solapur and Wadi
Composition
Five parcel vans and one luggage cum Guard’s brake van.
Note : No passengers will be allowed to enter/board these trains.
KSR Bengaluru – H.Nizamuddin : Kisan Rail Trains
Karnataka’s first-ever Kisan Rail will be operated on 19.09.2020. The train will be between KSR Bengaluru and H. Nizamuddin on 19.09.2020 and between H.Nizamuddin-Bengaluru on 22.9.2020. Details are attached.
Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh) – Adarsh Nagar (New Delhi): South India’s First “Kisan Rail”
South India’s First “Kisan Rail” and Indian Railway’s second Kisan Rail was flagged off from Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh) to Adarsh Nagar (New Delhi) today i.e. 9th September 2020, Railway announced via Press release on 09.09.2020.
Main Features of the Second Kisan Rail
- The newly introduced Kisan Rail starts from Anantapur Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh and reaches Adarsh Nagar Station, New Delhi.
- The rake is loaded with 14 parcel vans – 04 vans load meant for Nagpur and another 10 Vans load for Adarsh Nagar – totalling 332 tonnes.
- The inaugural Kisan Rail loaded with Tomato, Bananas, Sweet Orange, Papaya, Muskmelons and Mangoes.
- The train provides fast transport connectivity between Anantapur to New Delhi with a distance of 2150 Km being covered in approximately 40 hours.
- Anantapur is fast becoming the Fruit Bowl of Andhra Pradesh. More than 80% of the 58 lakh MT of fruits and vegetables in the district is marketed out of the state, particularly to the north Indian States of Delhi, UP, Punjab and Haryana among others. Earlier this was being transported by roadways which were not only time taking but also leading to a reduction in price realisation of the farmers due to en route damages. Transportation by railway provides safe, reliable and fast transportation which will aid in better price realisation for the farmers and thereby helping in better incomes for the farmers and traders.
Devlali – Danapur : First Kisan Rail
As announced in the Budget 2020 – 2021, railway start timetabled “Kisan Rail” in order to provide a seamless supply chain of agricultural and perishable produce. Ministry of Railways introduced the first Kisan Rail from Devlali to Danapur on 07.08.2020. Further details are following.
Ministry of Railways has introduced the first Kisan Rail to run from Devlali to Danapur on 07.08.2020. This train further from Danapur extended up to Muzaffarpur and also increased frequency from weekly to 3 days in a week as a result of good response from the farmers taking advantage to send their produce to the distant places of Northern India.
Advantage
- Kisan Rail will be game changer in ensuring a fast transportation of agriculture produce across the nation. Indian Railways have been maintaining food grains supply chain during Covid 19 times.
- This train will serve as a milestone in doubling Farmers’ income. The Kisan Rail will provide a good market to the farmers for their produce.
- The Bhusaval Division of Central Railway is primarily an Agro based area, where there is a huge produce of vegetables (especially onions), fruits, flowers and other agro products and there is a huge demand for these produce in the Patna-Allahabad- Katni- Satna region. Aggressive marketing is being done by Central Railway with co-ordination of local farmers, businessmen and APMC so that maximum farmers can benefit.
- Indian Railways aims to help double farmers’ income with the launch of Kisan Rail.
- This train will help in bringing perishable agricultural products like vegetables, fruits to the market in a short period of time.
- The train with frozen containers is expected to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of fish, meat and milk.
Train Details
- Train no 00107 Devlali – Danapur Weekly Kisan Rail will depart Devlali at 11.00 hrs every Friday and reach Danapur at 18.45 hrs next day.
- Train no 00108 Danapur – Devlali Weekly Kisan Rail will depart Danapur at 12.00 noon every Sunday and will reach Devlali at 19.45 hrs next day.
Halting
- This train will have 10 parcel vans and one luggage cum brake van.
- Kisan Rail will cover a distance of 1519 kms in 31.45 hrs on a single trip.
- This train has been provided scheduled halts at Nasik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Satna, Katni, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar and Buxar.
Freight per Tonne
| Nasik Road/Devlali to Danapur | Rs. 4001 |
| Manmad to Danapur | Rs. 3849 |
| Jalgaon to Danapur | Rs. 3513 |
| Bhusawal to Danapur | Rs. 3459 |
| Burhanpur to Danapur | Rs. 3323 |
| Khandwa to Danapur | Rs. 3148 |
Indian Railways have earlier run single commodity special trains like Banana Specials etc. But this will be the first ever multi commodity trains and will carry fruits like Pomegranate, Banana, Grapes etc and vegetables like Capsicum, Cauliflower, Drumsticks, Cabbage, Onion,Chillies etc. Aggressive marketing is being done with local farmers, loaders, APMC and individuals. Demand is being aggregated. It is expected that the train will be patronised well and will be a great help to the farmers, as freight of this train will be charged as per parcel tariff of normal train (P Scale).
Interested parties can contact Parcel Depots
- Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Bhusaval – 7219611950
- Deputy Chief Commercial Manager, Freight Services – 8828110963
- Assistant Commercial Manager, Freight Services – 8828110983
- Chief Commercial Inspector, Freight Services – 7972279217
Grant of 50% Subsidy to Kisan Rail Trains
Grant of 50% Subsidy to Kisan Rail trains, under ‘Operation Greens – TOP to Total’ by Ministry of Food Processing industries.
Operation Greens – TOP to Total scheme Mandarin and Turmeric Included ~ Updated 16.02.2021
To boost farmers’ income, additional commodities (Mandarin & Turmeric) included for the subsidy through Kisan Rail transportation. Under the ‘Operation Greens – TOP to Total’ scheme of the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), a 50% subsidy is being extended on transportation of notified fruits and vegetables.
Indian Railway announced via press release on 10.02.2021 to incentivize farmers to transport their agricultural produce through Kisan Rail, Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Food Processing Industries have included Mandarin (a variety of Orange) and Turmeric (raw) in the list of eligible Fruits and Vegetables for 50% transportation subsidy through any type of train service provided by Indian Railways under Operation Greens – TOP to TOTAL. Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is providing a 50% subsidy on transportation of any Fruits and Vegetables through any type of train service provided by Indian Railways under Operation Greens – TOP to TOTAL.
Eligible Items under subsidy already:
- Fruits- Mango, Banana, Guava, Kiwi, Litchi, Papaya, Mousambi, Orange, Kinnow, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Jackfruit, Apple, Almond, Aonla, Passion fruit, and Pear;
- Vegetables – French beans, Bitter Gourd, Brinjal, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chillies (Green), Okra, Cucumber, Peas, Garlic, Onion, Potato, and Tomato.
Kisan Rail ensures agro-products reach from one corner to another corner of the country in a quick time by faster transportation benefitting both the farmers and the consumers. The Kisan Rail catering to the requirements of small farmers and small traders is proving to be not only a game-changer but also a life changer as it fulfils the endeavour of increasing the income of farmers. Kisan Rail is surely changing the lives of farmers with the assurance of better price with faster & cheaper transportation, providing a seamless supply chain, preventing the destruction of perishable farm produce thereby opening up the scope to increase the income of farmers.
