In a move to bolster agricultural transport and support farmers, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Shetkari Samridhi Kisan Special Train on October 15, 2024. The train, connecting Devlali in Maharashtra to Danapur in Bihar, is aimed at providing affordable transport solutions for farmers, allowing them to send their agricultural produce to markets more efficiently.
The train will cover a distance of 1,515 kilometers, stopping at key stations including Nasik, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Itarsi, Jabalpur, and Satna. The freight cost has been set at less than 28 paisa per kilogram, making it a cost-effective option for farmers to ensure timely delivery of their goods to distant markets.
Minister Vaishnaw, who participated in the flagging-off ceremony via video conferencing, mentioned that the launch of this special train is part of a pilot project, with the potential for expansion based on its success. He highlighted that this initiative responds to a long-standing demand from Maharashtra’s farmers for better logistics support.
Additionally, Vaishnaw pointed out the significant increase in railway funding, which has risen from ₹1,171 crore before 2014 to ₹15,940 crore today. Forty-one new railway projects covering 5,870 kilometers are underway, with an investment of ₹81,000 crore. The development of 132 Amrit Stations and the construction of 318 flyovers and road under bridges are also part of Maharashtra’s railway infrastructure improvement efforts.
