Providing a wider market to farmers, the Indian Railway has operated 1,806 Kisan Rail services on 153 routes across the country transporting more than 5.9 lakh tonnes of perishable and agri-products, including milk, meat and fish, since its launch in August 2020.
As per the announcement made in the Union Budget 2020-21, the first Kisan Rail train was flagged-off on 7 August 2020 between Devlali (Maharashtra) and Danapur (Bihar).
Kisan Rail trains have been introduced by Indian Railways to enable swift movement of perishables including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fishery and dairy products from the production or surplus regions to consumption or deficient areas.
Potential circuits for movement of Kisan Rail services are identified in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries departments of state governments, and local bodies and agencies, Mandis etc. Based on demand, rakes are provided on priority for Kisan Rail services.
Kisan Rail carries materials such as onion, potato, mango, oranges, carrots, pomegranate, capsicums, pineapple, custard, apple, chikoo and also flowers.
The primary objective of running Kisan Rail trains is to increase the income in the farm sector by connecting production centres to markets and consumption centres.
These Kisan Rail trains are operated on time-tabled paths, and their punctuality is strictly monitored to avoid any en-route detentions and delays.