The Government has set up a committee to work out modalities of Kisan Rail. It comprises of representatives of Agriculture and Railway ministries.
Giving this information in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha last week, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said, the committee will also look into cold supply chain for perishables by starting the express and freight trains with refrigerated coaches.
The Minister said, Railways is planning for installation of solar panels on un-utilized railway land for meeting its energy needs for both traction and non-traction purposes.
Kisan Rail was proposed in the Union Budget 2020-21 that envisions setting up of Kisan Rail to build a national cold supply chain for perishables including meat, milk and fish. The Kisan rail will be set up by the Indian Railways through the PPP arrangement.
The Kisan Rail will comprise refrigerated coaches in Express and Freight trains. The budget also proposed the launch of Krishi Udan by Civil Aviation Ministry on international and national routes to transport perishable goods to less accessible areas such as the north-east and tribal districts.
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