Kalamkari Sarees: Tirupati to be First Station for One Station One Product concept

Tirupati: Tirupati will be the first station in the South Coastal Railways to implement the "One Station One Product" concept. The main objective of the concept is to make each railway station a promotional hub and showcase destination for a local product, thereby giving a major boost to local industries.

The concept of "One station One Product" was announced by the Union government during the recent budget (2022-23). The stations will act as a marketing channel and earmark a stall where the local product distinct to the particular area will be sold.

Accordingly, the Railway Board has advised identifying one station on each zonal railway for the implementation of the concept, initially as a pilot project for a period of 15 days. Tirupati railway station on South Central Railways has been identified as the first station on the zone for implementation of the "One station One Product" concept on a pilot basis for a period of 15 days, starting from 25 March.

Tirupati station is the nearest alighting point to reach the famous Lord Balaji Temple and witnesses a regular flow of rail passengers from all parts of the nation. The surrounding areas of the Tirupati station are famous for Kalamkari art and textiles. Accordingly, the station has been identified for promoting Kalamkari sarees and textiles. In addition, multiple products can also be showcased or sold at the station, if the products are indigenous to that area, such as wood crafting products, etc.

SCR said stalls will be allotted for a nominal registration fee of Rs. 500 per day. Temporary stalls will be erected by the Railways and sufficient water and electricity connections will be provided for the pilot project free of cost. Kiosks will be set up in areas that are easily accessible while boarding and alighting at the station.

Sales to transit passengers while in train will also be allowed in identified trains or routes.

Station entry authority (identity card to the vendors) will be given by the station superintendent clearly indicating the name of the authorised vendor, product name, and duration in order to ensure no unauthorised entry.

A badge will be given to the authorised vendors of these stalls clearly indicating the "One Station One Product" scheme.

The sellers who will be allotted the stalls as part of the scheme may carry out platform vending and also be allowed to sell on trains till the next stopping station on proper travel authority.

The identification of artisans, potters, craftsmen, craftswomen, and weavers would be done through local self-help groups (SHG), NGOs, and co-operatives that are dealing with the identified products.

Interested parties may submit their applications to the senior divisional commercial manager, Guntakal, with their product details. In case a large number of applications are received, allotment will be done through the open lottery or public draw system only, SCR said.

Sanjeev Kishore, the general manager of SCR, appealed to the artisans and craftsmen with expertise in Kalamkari sarees, local textiles, and wood crafting and hailing from in-and-around the Tirupati area to use this unique opportunity and market their product.