Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Friday flagged off the first Kisan Rail train from the Northeast from Agartala railway station.
The train was carrying 8,990 kg of pineapple to Adarshanagar of Delhi and 1,145 kg of pineapple and jackfruits to Guwahati.
Indian Railways started running ”Kisan Rail” in the country in August last year to transport perishable goods and agri-product, including milk, meat and fish providing a wider market to farmers and enabling them to increase their income.
“With the inauguration of the Kisan Rail, the transport cost for agricultural products will now come down to a great extent. Earlier, the transportation cost for sending these products by air was Rs 20 to 50 per kg. Now, it will come down to Rs 2.25 per kg for Delhi and 88 paise for Guwahati,” Deb said after flagging off the train.
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— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) June 11, 2021
The chief minister said that currently only pineapple and jackfruit have been sent due to the pandemic.
“But, paddy, lemon, cashew nut, dragon fruit and Kashmiri Apple Ber are also produced in the state and their popularity is also good outside. So, special focus will be given to the export of such produce next time. The government is committed to double the farmers’ income,” Deb said.
The objective of the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to ensure more development in primary sectors and the introduction of Kisan Rail is an example of that, said the CM.