Railways Promote Sambalpuri Saree To Kanchipuram Saree And Jaipuri Rajai To Madhubani Paintings Sale At Over 70 Stations

Madhubani paintings of Bihar, Sambalpuri sarees, Patachitra and Pipli applique of Odisha, handloom textiles of Bengal, marble handicraft of UP and many more such products are now sold at about more than 70 railways stations across the country under "one station one product" scheme to promote local artisans and self help groups.

The scheme aims to provide opportunities to earn livelihood through skill development to local artisans, potters, weavers/handloom weavers, craftsmen etc, through provision of sale outlets at railway stations.

One can now witness the brisk sale of Assamese gamocha, rose water and gulkand of Ajmer, bamboo products of Nagpur, leather products of Mumbai, terracotta handicrafts of Asansol, soft toys of Jhansi, wooden and other antique items related to idols of Lord Buddha of Gaya at the local stations of the region.

Under the scheme, the Railways is providing outlets - fixed stalls/kiosks, portable stalls/trolleys at stations for showcasing, selling and giving high visibility to indigenous/local products like pearls and bangles at Secunderabad station, khadi items at Bikaner station, Jaipuri rajai at Jaipur station and Kanchipuram silk sarees at Chennai station.

Design of sale outlets (stall/trolley) is being developed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

According to the railways, the products category would be indigenous/GI tagged/local to that place and could include artifacts, handicrafts, textiles and handlooms, toys, leather products, traditional appliances/instruments, garments, gems and jewellery, etc. made by local artisans, weavers, craftsmen, tribes, etc. and processed, semi-processed and other food products indigenously made/grown in the area.

The Railways maintains that self help groups and individuals at the bottom of the pyramid need to be encouraged.

There is a nominal registration fee for participation in the scheme and allotment is made to all applicants who meet objectives of the scheme on rotation basis.

A pilot project was launched across each Zonal Railway for a period of 15 days starting from 25 March this year covering a total 19 stations.

The pilot project has been further extended to each division in spells of 15 days each till 7 June 2022.

Currently, 71 stations are being covered under the scheme.