**Summary:**
As of August 6, 2025, the Ministry of Railways addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2817 regarding the expansion of Kisan Rail in Andhra Pradesh. Since its launch on August 7, 2020, the Kisan Rail service has operated 116 trips from Andhra Pradesh to Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, and Tripura. These trips have transported 34,196 tonnes of perishable goods, including bananas, mangoes, and onions. The identification of potential circuits for transporting vegetables, fruits, and other perishables is conducted in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Fisheries Departments of State Governments, local bodies, agencies, and Mandis. Services are planned based on demand and operational feasibility at applicable tariffs. During 2024-25, Container Corporation (CONCOR) operated 637 reefer containers from Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Andhra Pradesh, with 524 originating from Tadipatri and 113 from ICD Vizag. Information provided by the Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Key Entities Referenced
Kisan Rail: A train service initiative by the Ministry of Railways for the transportation of perishable goods.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, focus of the Lok Sabha question regarding expansion of Kisan Rail.
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the railway network, answering questions about the Kisan Rail.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: An Indian government ministry consulted for identifying potential circuits for Kisan Rail.
Container Corporation CONCOR: An Indian container logistics service provider that operated reefer containers for Kisan Rail.
Assam: A state in India, a destination for Kisan Rail trains originating from Andhra Pradesh.
ICD Vizag: Inland Container Depot located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2817
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
EXPANSION OF KISAN RAIL IN ANDHRA PRADESH
2817. SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:
SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:
SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Kisan Rail trains initiated to/from Andhra Pradesh,
route and district-wise;
(b) the volume and type of perishable produce transported from Andhra
Pradesh, crop-wise;
(c) whether any vegetable/fruit-producing districts in the said State
have been included in the Kisan Rail circuit planning, if so, the details
thereof including the financial and implementation progress of the
same;
(d) if not, the reasons for their exclusion and the details of future plans
if any, for Kisan Rail expansion to these districts;
(e) whether any cold chain/refrigerated storage infrastructure has been
built at railway stations in Andhra Pradesh to support Kisan Rail
services; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not the reason therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f): Since the launch of Kisan Rail service on 7th August 2020, 116
trips from Andhra Pradesh towards Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi &
…2-2-
Tripura have been carried out, transporting 34,196 tonnes of
consignment with perishables including Bananas, Mangoes, Onions etc.
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.
637 Reefer containers were operated by Container Corporation
(CONCOR) during 2024-25 from the Inland Container Depots (ICDs)
situated in Andhra Pradesh (524 from Tadipatri and 113 from
ICD/Vizag).
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