The first Kisan Rail train from the Northeast has been flagged off by Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Friday.
The train was flagged off from Agartala railway station carrying 8,990 kg of pineapple to Adarshnagar of Delhi and 1,145 kg of pineapple and jackfruits to Guwahati.
Taking to Twitter, the chief minister said, "The transportation cost for agricultural products will greatly reduce with the introduction of the Kisan Rail. Earlier, the cost was Rs 20 to 50 per kg. It will now come down to Rs 2.25 per kg for Delhi and 88 paise for Guwahati."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only pineapple and jackfruit have been sent. Later, more fruits and vegetables will be sent, the CM said.
Kisan Rail was started by Indian Railways last year in August for the transportation of goods and agricultural products including dairy products, meat and fish which provides farmers a wider market, in turn increasing their income.