Potential circuits for movement of Kisan Rail services 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 based on demand, rakes are provided on priority for running of Kisan Rail services.

Since the launch of Kisan Rail service on 7^th August 2020 and upto 31^st January 2023, Railways have operated around 2,359 Kisan Rail services, transporting approximately 7.9 lakh tonnes of perishables.  The State-wise break up of number of services is as under:-

(provisional figures)

 

States	No. of outward services
Andhra Pradesh	116
Assam	1
Bihar	0
Delhi	0
Jammu & Kashmir	0
Gujarat	62
Karnataka	46
Maharashtra	1,838
Madhya Pradesh	74
Nagaland	0
Punjab	15
Rajasthan	5
Telangana	66
Tripura	1
Uttar Pradesh	76
West Bengal	59

 

Up to 31.3.2022, 50 % subsidy in freight was granted by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) for transportation of fruits and vegetables by Kisan rail, which was not continued further. Thereafter, Railways have been continuing with the subsidy, at a rate of 45%.  This subsidy is presently applicable till 31.03.2023. 

During 2020-21, Railways disbursed ₹27.79 crore as subsidy which was reimbursed by MoFPI.  During 2021-22, Railways disbursed ₹121.86 crores as subsidy, out of which only ₹50 crore was reimbursed by MoFPI.  During the current year up to 31.01.2023, Railways have disbursed ₹4 crore as subsidy.

So far, no request has been received from farmers/traders for creation of temperature controlled storage facilities under the Kisan Rail Scheme.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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YB/DNS

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