**Policy Summary: Kisan Rail Corridors and Tribal Region Integration**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 612, concerning the integration of tribal regions into the Kisan Rail network and related provisions for perishable produce transport.
The Kisan Rail initiative, launched on August 7, 2020, aims to connect production/surplus regions with consumption/deficit areas for perishable goods. As of July 23, 2025, approximately 2,364 Kisan Rail services have operated, transporting around 7.9 lakh tonnes of perishables. Route identification is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare, state-level Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Fisheries Departments, local bodies, agencies, and Mandis. Services are implemented at applicable tariffs based on demand and operational feasibility.
A specific initiative, the Shetkari Samrudhi special train 01153, commenced operations on October 15, 2024, between Devlali and Danapur, with stops at Nashik, Lasalgaon, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Burhanpur, and Khandwa. As of the response date, this service has completed 40 trips, transporting 3,256 tonnes of perishables and generating revenue of Rs. 1.16 Cr.
Indian Railways, through the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), offers rail-based refrigerated container services for temperature-sensitive cargo, including fruits and vegetables. In the fiscal year 2024-25, CONCOR moved 85,140 TEUs via rail. CONCOR's temperature-controlled storage facilities are located in Nashik, New Azadpur, Dadri, and Sonipat, representing a total investment of approximately Rs 129 crore.
The response does not explicitly state whether dedicated Kisan Rail Corridors now include tribal regions. However, it indicates that potential circuits are identified in consultation with various stakeholders, including state government departments, which would include the possibility of tribal region integration. Information regarding subsidized rates for smallholder farmers, the number of shipments originating from tribal districts, details of cold chain infrastructure at collection centers within tribal regions, and details regarding consultation with tribal farmer associations were not specifically provided but are implied to be considered within the broader scope of the Kisan Rail planning and implementation process through consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Kisan Rail: A railway service by Indian Railways to transport perishable goods, especially agricultural products, from production areas to consumption centers.
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the country's railway infrastructure and operations.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for agriculture research and education.
Shetkari Samrudhi special train 01153: A special train service for transporting perishable products between Devlali and Danapur.
Devlali: A city in Nashik District, Maharashtra, India, the origin point of the Shetkari Samrudhi special train.
Danapur: A city in Patna district, Bihar, India, the destination point of the Shetkari Samrudhi special train.
Container Corporation CONCOR: An Indian public sector undertaking that provides container transport services.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 612
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
DEDICATED KISAN RAIL CORRIDORS
612. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any dedicated Kisan Rail Corridors now include tribal
regions for perishable produce, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of shipments originated from tribal districts in the past
year;
(c) whether the rates are subsidized for smallholder farmers and if so,
the details thereof;
(d) the details of the cold-chain infrastructure available at collection
centres; and
(e) whether any consultation has involved tribal farmer association
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e) : Kisan Rail enables movement of perishables including fruits
and vegetables from production or surplus regions to consumption or
deficient regions in reasonable time.
Potential circuits for movement of vegetables, fruits and other
perishables are identified in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare and Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Fisheries
Departments of State Governments as well as local bodies and
agencies, Mandis etc., and services at applicable tariff are planned on
the basis of demands placed taking into consideration, operational
feasibility.
…2-2-
Since the launch of Kisan Rail service on 7th August 2020, Railways
have operated around 2,364 Kisan Rail services, transporting
approximately 7.9 lakh tonnes of perishables.
Recently an initiative has been undertaken with operation of Shetkari
Samrudhi special train 01153 between Devlali-Danapur w.e.f
15.10.2024 for transporting of perishable products. The service has
halts at Nashik, Lasalgaon, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Burhanpur
and Khandwa. Till date 40 trips have been run and 3,256 tonnes of
perishable have been loaded earning Rs. 1.16 Cr.
Indian Railway is providing rail based refrigerated container services
through Container Corporation (CONCOR) to facilitate movement of
cargo that requires temperature-controlled environment, including
fruits and vegetables. During 2024-25, a total of 85,140 TEUs have
been moved through Rail by CONCOR. The temperature controlled
storage facilities of CONCOR have been established at Nashik, New
Azadpur, Dadri and Sonipat at a total investment of about Rs 129
crore.
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