Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday proposed to set up Kisan Rail in public-private-partnership (PPP) mode for cold supply chain to transport perishable goods. Presenting her second Union Budget, Ms Sitharaman announced a slew of measures for the benefit of farmers.
"To build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, the Indian Railways will set up Kisan Rail through PPP model so that perishable goods can be transported quickly," she said.
She also said refrigerated parcel vans on select mail express and freight trains for carrying perishable cargo was also on the anvil.
Perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat need to be carried in such temperature controlled vans in order to travel long distances.
The proposal to use refrigerated parcel vans to ferry perishables was first announced by then railway minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2009-10 Budget, however, it has failed to take off.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"Economy On Strong Wicket": Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Economic Survey Opinion: Opinion | Budget 2024: Don't Ignore The Tax-Squeezed Middle Class, Again "Tried To Silence Prime Minister For 2.5 Hours": PM's Jab At Opposition "Cops Can't Force...": Supreme Court Pauses Kanwar Yatra Food Stalls Order IAS Smita Sabharwal's Disability Quota Remark Draws Massive Criticism Centre Rules Out Special Status For Bihar, Lalu Yadav's Party Takes A Swipe All Democratic Party Chairs Endorse Kamala Harris As Biden Exits Poll Race Amid Row Over Kanwar Yatra Eateries Order, Madhya Pradesh's Clarification Centre Rules Out Special Status For Bihar, Lalu Yadav's Party Takes A Swipe Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.