He said even though the scheme has been introduced in North in Central India, the South Indian farmers are deprived of this facility till date. He recommended for providing Kishan rail from the said route to benefit the entire Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore: Kishan Rail was launched on August 7, 2020 to transport fresh vegetables, fruits and other perishable agricultural commodities to help the farmers to sell their produce in different centers at a favorable price so that the income of the farmers can be enhanced.
Tamil Nadu farmers, especially Dindigul and Pollachi parliamentary constituency farmers, can utilize the vast railway network to gain access to distant and profitable lucrative markets with an aim to gain more income.
Under this scheme “Operation Greens — TOP to Total”, MoFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industry) agreed to grant subsidy of 50% of the cost of transportation for popular produce like tomato, onion, potato and coconut which are considered as essential food items for all class of families irrespective of their income. The arrangement was that while farmers would get to transport their produce at half-rate, the Railways would get the subsidy amount from the MoFPI.
MP Shanmugasundaram in his letter to Union Minister of railways requested to introduce Kishan Rail from Palani, Ottanchatram (biggest agricultural market in Tamil Nadu) Pollachi (coconut capital of Tamil Nadu) Coimbatore, Madurai to Tirunelveli. By introducing the Kishan Rail in this route farmers can sell their produce in different areas so that lakhs of families also will get fresh vegetables and fruits at reasonable prices. He recommended the introduction of Air-Conditioned coaches to keep the agricultural produce fresh.
He said even though the scheme has been introduced in North in Central India, the South Indian farmers are deprived of this facility till date. He recommended providing Kishan Rail from the said route to benefit the entire Tamil Nadu since distribution of these vegetables should reach every nook and corner and be available to the general public.
His letter stated the following
1) Coimbatore - Mumbai (LT), Train# 41014, LTT Express, Runs days, Origin Station Coimbatore, Destination Station LTT/Mumbai, Total 1500 Total Time 28. We request you to add 1 General compartment transit Time 28.55 Hours. (Perishables - Fresh Fruit cargo Coach (for Coconuts, etc.) & 1 Refer Cargo Coach extend this train for Vegetables) for new market access. Here a special request is from Coimbatore to Pollachi to take a cargo coach from Pollachi and attach in Coimbatore.
2) Coimbatore - Rajkot, Train# 16614, CBE RJT Express, Runs on Friday (Origin), Origin Station Destination Station Rajkot/Gujarat, Total 2237 Kms, Total Transit Time -- Hours. We request you to add 1 Gen Cargo Coach (for Coconuts, etc.) & 1 Reefer Cargo Coach (Perishables - Fresh Fruits & Vegetables) for new market access. Here a special request is to extend this train from Coimbatore to Pollachi or to take a cargo coach from Pollachi to Coimbatore in some other train and attach in Coimbatore.
3) Tirunelveli — Dadar/Mumbai, Train# 22630, TEN DR Express, Runs on Wednesday (Origin), Origin Station Tirunelveli, Destination Station Dadar/Mumbai, Total 2060 Kms, Total Transit Time — Hours. We request you to add 1 Gen Cargo Coach (for Coconuts, etc.) & 1 Reefer Cargo Coach (Perishables - Fresh Fruits & Vegetables) for new market access. Here a special request is to extend this train from Coimbatore to Pollachi or to take a cargo coach from Pollachi to Coimbatore in some other train and attach in Coimbatore.
SOUTH INDIA to NORTH INDIA CONNECTIVITY: Coimbatore - Delhi
4) Coimbatore — Delhi_(NZM), Train# 12647, Kongu Express, Runs on Sunday (Origin), Origin Station Coimbatore, Destination Station Nazimuddin/Delhi, Total 2703 Kms, Total Transit Time 46 Hours. We request you to add 1 Gen Cargo Coach (for Coconuts, etc.) & 1 Reefer Cargo Coach (Perishables - Fresh Fruits & Vegetables) for new market access. Here a special request is to extend this train from Coimbatore to Pollachi or to take a cargo coach from Pollachi to Coimbatore in some other train and attach in Coimbatore.
5) Kanyakumari — Jammu Tawi (VD), Train# 16317, Himsagar Express, Runs on Friday (Origin), Origin Station Kanyakumari, Destination Station Jammu Tawi/VD, Total 3797 Kms, Total Transit Time -- Hours. We request you to add 1 Gen Cargo Coach (for Coconuts, etc.) & 1 Reefer Cargo Coach (Perishables - Fresh Fruits & Vegetables) for new market access. Here a special request is to extend this train from Coimbatore to Pollachi or to take a cargo coach from Pollachi to Coimbatore in some other train and attach in Coimbatore.
6) Coimbatore — Silchar (SCL), Train# 12515, CBE-SCL Express, Runs on Sunday (Origin), Origin Station Coimbatore, Destination Station Silchar/Tripura, Total 3492 Kms, Total Transit Time Hours. We request you to add 1 Gen Cargo Coach (for Coconuts, etc.) & 1 Reefer Cargo Coach (Perishables - Fresh Fruits & Vegetables) for new market access. Here a special request is to extend this train from Coimbatore to Pollachi or to take a cargo coach from Pollachi to Coimbatore in some other train and attach in Coimbatore.