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New Delhi : The inaugural run of Anantapur – New Delhi Kisan Rail was flagged off on September 9, 2020, through video link by Union Agriculture & Farmer Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
The programme was presided over by Suresh C Angadi, Minister of State for Railways. The Kisan train will run between Anantapur in Guntakal Division of South Central Railway and Adarsh Nagar in Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Tomar said that the Kisan Rail will help in strengthening the agricultural economy while CM Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the state’s popular fruits will now be able to reach other areas in the country easily, according to a PIB release.
Tomar said that Gaon-Garib-Kisan have always been the priority of PM Narendra Modi. Efforts have been made in every budget to make provisions for strengthening the agricultural economy and doubling of farmers’ income, which are now beginning to bear fruit. Kisan Rail and Kisan Udaan had been announced in this year’s budget so that farm produce is transported all over the country in less time.
On August 7,2020, the first Kisan Rail was flagged off between Devlali in Maharashtra and Danapur in Bihar as a weekly service, which was later made bi-weekly due to increasing demand. Now the 2nd Kisan Rail will benefit farmers of the states coming en route. The Union Agriculture Minister expressed appreciation about the implementation of the new agriculture ordinances and Rs 1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund in Andhra Pradesh. He said that in Anantapur fruits and vegetables are being grown in more than 2 lakh ha area and the Kisan Rail will prove very beneficial to farmers of this region. Kisan Udaan service will also be started soon, he added.
Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said that horticulture is an important activity in the state. AP has 1st rank in the country in the production of tomatoes, coconut, papaya, and chillies, and is the biggest fruit producing state in South India. During the Covid situation, transportation of this horticultural produce to North India had become difficult. A number of special trains were run from Anantapur to Mumbai during the lockdown so that the horticultural produce could reach other parts of the country.
Minister of State for Railways Suresh C Angadi said that Kisan Rail is being started to help in the speedy transportation of farm produce to distant places, in keeping with the goal of doubling farmers’ income.
The function was also attended by Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Choudhary, Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, B Satyanarayana, M Sankaranarayana, and K Kannababu, AP Govt Ministers, T Rangaiah, Member of Parliament, Anantapur.
Anantapur is fast becoming the Fruit Bowl of Andhra Pradesh. More than 80% of the 58 lakh MT of fruits & vegetables in the district is marketed out of the state particularly to the north Indian States of Delhi, UP, Punjab, and Haryana.
