Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu, who announced giving boost to regional flavour, self help groups (SHGs) and tourism through railways, has already ensured that a pilot is started on Konkan Railway Corporation’s network.
The Minister had in November last directed the corporation to arrange sale of products of Konkan range, such as Kokum Sharbet, Amla Sharbet, Sol Kadhi, Ginger Kokum, Khadkhade Ladu, Dink Laddu and papads on trains and at stations in the region. These products, Mr. Prabhu had said, should be sourced from self help groups of the region. This was followed by the inauguration of such a facility at Kankavali Railway Station by Mr. Prabhu in January this year.
The SHGs are brought together by Konkan Railway Women’s Cultural and Social Service Association, which has arranged sale of these products through KRCL’s website www.konkanrailway.com. Mr. Prabhu wants this experiment to be expanded pan-India to promote local SHGs, as revealed in the budget.
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Mr. Prabhu also talked about the railways promoting tourism activities in the country. On his directions, the KRCL has commenced training programmes for drivers of autorickshaws and taxis. As said by the Minister, these two categories are the brand ambassadors of a region and the railways wants to promote tourism by engaging with drivers.