Question : Re-introduction of Horticulture Train

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that a lot of farmers, particularly orange and grape farmers, are unhappy with the Railways as they hardly get space on trains to transport their produce to the consuming centres and if so, the details thereof;


(b) whether the Government plans to re-introduce Horticulture train exclusively for carrying farm produce;



(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and


(d) the other steps proposed to be taken by the Government to facilitate farmers to transport their farm produce to markets?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) Perishable parcel traffic is transported by Railway in the Brakevan (SLRs) of passenger carrying trains. Preference is accorded for clearance of perishable parcels over hard parcels. To meet the demand of full load of Parcel Van(s) perishable traffic, Parcel Vans (VPs) are attached to passenger carrying trains subject to availability of room in train and operational feasibility. The interested person (including farmer) may register his demand/indents at the concerned railway station. Parcel vans are supplied to the indenter(s) according to the date of registration of indents. In addition to this, Indian Railways also run special parcel train for transportation of fruits in bulk like Mango, Banana, Orange etc. on demand, on a fixed path between specific origin-destination stations for faster and safe transportation.
(b) to (d): For transportation of horticulture produce in container, CONCOR has procured 98 Ventilated Isolated Containers specially designed for movement of fruits and vegetables. A total of 44 trains were run by CONCOR from Raver to New Azadpur carrying banana traffic during the year 2013. Thereafter, there has been no demand for Ventilated Isolated Container trains.
In addition to this, for transportation of fruit traffic in bulk, Indian Railways run special Parcel Trains for Banana, Mango and Chiku to fulfill the demand of this sector.
During the year 2015-16, 41 rakes of mango were moved from Nuzvid/ Vijayawada/ Vijaynagram to Delhi area as against 59 rakes during the year 2014-15. Similarly, 94 rakes of banana were moved from Bhusawal area to Delhi area during 2014-15.
Railways supply rakes for transportation of fruits as and when indents are placed by the parties.

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