One Station One Product: Will It Help Local Art & Craft?
Indian Railways has launched the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) Project aiming to help promote local products such as art and craft on its various stations. Under this project, all zones of Indian railways have chosen one or two stations for selling locally made products.
The project aims to build ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and uplift the local products by making a railway station a promotional hub for that particular product. It will help boost the livelihood of local artisans, weavers, potters, tribals, etc., by promoting their products on various railway stations.
Under the ‘One Station One Product’ project, the station acts as a marketing channel for the product. Because Railway stations witness footfalls of mass people that generate the huge potential for marketing any product. They also provide a large space for setting up stalls for selling and promoting local food items like crafts, handlooms, local toys, traditional costumes, instruments and products.
Concept of One Station One Product
One Station One Product is similar to the concept of ‘One District One Product’, launched in 2018 in Uttar Pradesh. Under this, each district of UP has been encouraged to promote the indigenous and specialised product of the district that is found nowhere else. The ODOP project received such a huge success that the Ministry of Food and Processing, Government of India adopted it as a “District as Export Hubs”.
Later in February 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned the ‘One station One Product’ in the Union Budget 2022-23. Indian Railways help interested NGOs, Self Help Groups, Government Bodies, and Artists to install stalls and sell specialised products.
The Railway Board has asked the Railway Zones to identify stations and implement this new concept to promote the business of local products. For phase one, 19 stations of different railway zones have been selected from pan India.
Here is the list of 19 Railway Stations of different zones selected as a model for One Station One Product. Let’s see how these stations will help local art & craft.
1. Nagpur Station (NGP): Bamboo Handicrafts
Central Railway has chosen Nagpur Railway Station to implement the pilot project. The station comes under the Nagpur division. It will promote Bamboo handicrafts at its station premises. The Bamboo products of Vidarbha made by local artisans will be promoted at the exhibition cum sale store at the station.
Nagpur is the only station in Maharashtra to be selected for the OSOP project. The station comes in the top 100 booking stations and serves almost 1.6 lakh passengers each day. Therefore, it can be a potential source of customers for Bamboo Handicrafts and become a boon for local artisans.
2. Patna Station (PNBE): Madhubani Paintings
Patna Railway station of the Danapur division is the first station of the East Central Railway that has been selected for the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ scheme. The station will exhibit world-famous Madhubani paintings and products to encourage local artists, weavers, potters and workers.
Patna Junction Station is one of the busiest stations in India. It is connected to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati etc. During Bihar’s most significant festivals, Chhath Puja and Prakash Parv, the station handles a huge crowd of train travellers.
3. Visakhapatnam Station (VSKP): Etikoppaka Wooden Products
East Coast Railway zone has identified Visakhapatnam Junction Railway Station of Waltair division for the trial launch of the novel concept based kiosk. It will promote the Etikoppaka Wooden products at the station premises. Local artists of Etikoppaka village of Visakhapatnam district prepare this product with Ankudi Karra and coat it with Liquor Colour.
Visakhapatnam, a coastal port city of Andhra Pradesh known as the “Jewel of East Coast”, is the busiest city. It is popular and one of the best tourist places in India because of its beautiful lakes, beaches, hill ranges, valleys and caves. All these factors build a positive environment to boost sales of Etikoppaka wooden craft products at the station.
4. Howrah Station (HWH): Tant Handloom Sarees and Handlooms Textiles
Eastern Railway zone launches the ‘One Station One Product’ concept at India’s oldest and busiest railway complex, Howrah station. The station will promote Tant Handloom Sarees and Handlooms Textiles. The Tant textiles of the region are famous for weaving patterns, vibrant colours and soft texture.
The Howrah station comes under the Howrah division, serving the metropolitan city Kolkata with approximately 1 million rail passengers. Also, the Howrah Junction Railway station is the biggest in India regarding the number of platforms. It has 23 platforms. Tant sarees and textiles can be successfully promoted and sold at Howrah station with such huge potential customers.
5. Agra Cantt (AGC): Marble Handicrafts
The North Central Railway zone has selected Agra Cantonment/Cantt station as its model station to implement the One Station One Product project. It will promote and sell Marble Handicrafts at the station. Locally made marble crafts such as models of Taj Mahal, Water marbled pots, pooja thali, kumkum boxes, jewellery boxes etc., are the most frequently bought items.
Agra Cantt lies on the mainline of Delhi, Bhopal and Chennai. The station is nearest to the world’s one of the seven wonders’ TajMahal’, and witnesses 7-8 million tourists annually, including 0.8 million foreign tourists. Under the OSOP initiative, the station will bring Mughal era crafts to the modern age tourists.
6. Banaras Station (BSBS): Black Clay Pottery
North Eastern Railway zone identified two railway stations for OSOP; One is Banaras Railway Station of the Varanasi division, which will install kiosks of Nizamabad’s famous Black clay Pottery to showcase its uniqueness. The black clay pottery of the town is G.I. certified.
Black Clay Pottery is the oldest craft of Nizamabad and its district Azamgarh. Approx 400 families depend on this craft. Varanasi welcomes several pilgrimages because of the city’s religious value. Banaras railway station has been developed to ease the heavy rush of Varanasi junction. Now, It is one of the main stations in town that will help in promoting Black clay pottery.
7. Gorakhpur Railway Station (GKP): Terracotta Handicrafts
Another Station of NER selected for the OSOP pilot project is the Gorakhpur Railway Station of the Lucknow division. Gorakhpur railway station will install sale outlets for Terracotta handicrafts. It is a unique craft made with local soil and dyed with natural colours. Terracotta of Gorakhpur is well known for the artists’ experimentation with shapes of the crafts.
Gorakhpur is one of the major stations of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The station handles more than 190 trains daily. It holds India’s 2nd largest platform and is among the top 100 booking stations. Therefore, it can become a major hotspot for local Terracotta products.
8. Jaipur Station (JP): Sanganeri Print Items & Jaipuri Razai
North Western Railway zone recognised Jaipur Junction railway station for the pilot project of OSOP. The capital of Rajasthan is ready to promote Sanganeri print items & Jaipuri Razai under the union’s novel policy. The stalls of Sanganeri print items like kurtas, dresses, scarves & cosy handmade Jaipuri Razaiwill be installed at its Railway Station.
The largest railway station in Rajasthan comes under the Jaipur division. Every day, it serves almost 35- 40 thousand rail passengers. Sanganeri print and Jaipuri Razai will attract domestic and international visitors and increase the earning capacity of local artisans.
9. Guwahati Station (GHY): Assamese Gamocha
Guwahati Railway Station of Lumding division from the North Frontier Railway zone is picked for the One Station One Product scheme. This station is one of the top 21 cleanest stations in India. It will provide space to install stalls to promote Assamese Gamocha and local textiles at its premises.
Assamese Gamocha looks like a towel but holds great cultural values. It is an identity for the Assamese. The Gamocha of Assam is exclusive because of its artistic embroideries with red borders on white rectangular cloth pieces of cotton or silk. Guwahati serves as the centre point for the North-East. Therefore, thousands of people visit it every day, which can be a potential source of income for regional artisans.
10. Panipat Station (PNP): Handlooms and Pickles
Northern Railway zone has spotted two railway stations for the OSOP project. One of them is the Panipat Railway station of the Delhi division. It is the station of the state of Haryana that consists of historical values of the famous Panipat war.
Panipat station serves over 40,000 train travellers daily. The station is selected to promote Handlooms and Pickles, which will help in boosting the livelihood of small farmers and enterprises. Though, pickles are common in every Indian household. Panipat introduced it as a commercial long back.
11. Varanasi Cantt (BSB) : Wooden Toys
Another station of N.R zone selected for OSOP is Varanasi Junction Railway Station, also known as Varanasi Cantt railway station. The station comes under the Lucknow division aiming to sell and promote Wooden Toys made by skilled craftsmen. Wooden toys are traditional crafts of the Varanasi district.
Wooden toys of Varanasi are G.I. certified. Varanasi city is known for its Hindu religious value. Each day the junction welcomes many pilgrimages. The station will provide great exposure to the artistry of local artisans.
12. Tirupati Station (TPTY) : Kalamkari Saree & Textiles
Tirupati Railway station is the first station selected for the OSOP project under the South Central Railway zone. The station comes under the Guntakal division. This place is recognised for the Tirumala hills, famous for their pristine beauty and pilgrimage.
Tirupati station witnesses footfalls of several travellers from all across India each day because of its famous Tirupati Balaji temple. Besides, Tirupati is also famous for its Kalamkari arts and Textiles. Under the novel OSOP concept, the station will showcase Kalamkari Saree and textiles with local wooden crafts and indigenous products.
13. Bilaspur Station (BSP): Dhokra Bell Metal Handicrafts
The South East Central Railway zone has spotted Bilaspur Railway Station of Chattisgarh to implement the novel concept. The station comes under the Bilaspur division, and it is 3rd cleanest railway station in India. It will promote Dhokra Bell Metal Handicraft products.
Bell Metal crafts are believed to be artefacts of the time of ‘Mohenjo Daro’ and ‘Harappa civilisation. Bell Metal of Dhokra techniques is prepared with cow dung, paddy husk and red soil. The wonderful pieces of these handicrafts are the best souvenirs of Chattisgarh.
14. Jaleswar Station (JER): Silver and Stone Jewellery
South Eastern Railway Zone has identified two railway stations for the Indian government’s new policy. One is the Jaleswar railway station of the Kharagpur division, aiming to promote Silver and Stone Jewellery. Silver and stone jewellery of Jaleswar city of the state of Odisha is considered exclusive and the best in quality.
Under the OSOP pilot project, rail passengers will be able to buy the ornaments during their visit to Jaleswar easily. The concept will also contribute to the growth of the town’s silver and stone jewellery industries. Plan your trip if you wish to buy customised jewellery at the station.
15. Balasore Station (BLS) : Coconut Mat Products
Another station SER selected for the OSOP is the Balasore railway station in Odisha. The station comes under the Kharagpur division, serving over 1 lakh 30 thousand visitors each day. Balasore is one of the major stations of Odisha that provides a halt to all the trains going from Chennai to Howrah.
Balasore railway station is spotted to promote Coconut Mat products under the OSOP project. The station will act as a great marketing channel for the coir or coco mat products of Odisha. The small local scale Coir industry will likely witness growth with this move.
16. Bangalore Station (SBC): Channapatna Wooden Toys
Bangalore City Railway Station, officially known as Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna station of the South Western Railway Zone, is the first station in Karnataka to be selected for the One Station One Product project. The station will promote and sell Channapatna Wooden toys at the station premises.
Channapatna toys are manufactured in Channapatna town, Ramanagara district of Karnataka, popularly known as “Gombegala Ooru” (Toy Town). The kiosk of the Railway station will showcase special wooden toys and dolls holding cultural values of the state. Besides being the hub for Software and I.T. related business, it will now offer traditional value to the commuters.
17. Chennai Central (MAS): Kanchipuram Sarees
Southern Railway launches OSOP pilot project at Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, commonly known as Chennai central. The station comes under the Chennai division and serves over 5 lakh rail passengers. And railways sees them as the potential customer for promoting Kanchipuram textile art.
Under the OSOP policy, Chennai central railway station will encourage thehard work of weavers of Kanchipuram Sarees at its premises. At the kiosk, 100 types of Kanchipuram Sarees are available. These sarees are known for their golden zari and aesthetic artistry.
18. Kota Station (KOTA): Kota Doria Sarees
The city of Kota, Rajasthan, is a coaching centre hub for higher studies. It witnesses the footfalls of numbers of students and parents from all across India. West Central Railway Zone has chosen Kota railway station as a great marketing platform for the reach of local products to each corner of the Nation.
Kota station will install kiosks for displaying and selling Kota Doria Sarees at its premises. Kota Doria sarees use traditional woven methods so that square-like unique shapes, locally known as ‘Khat’, appear on the fabric. These Sarees have been part of regional attire for several years.
19. Rajkot Station (RJT) : Terracotta Products
Rajkot Railway Station of Western Railway is the only station in Gujarat selected under the governments’ OSOP project for the trial. The station comes under the Rajkot division, aiming to promote and sell local Terracotta or Ceramic products at the station’s kiosk. The initiative will provide a new lease of life to dying Terracotta products of Gujarat.
Terracotta products are believed to be the ‘Indus Valley Civilization’ craft. The stalls at railway stations will boost the livelihood of the families connected to this artistic work. The initiative of Railways will surely bring a new life to this age-old craft.
Important Things to Know about Installing Kiosk at Railway Station Under the Novel Concept
- NGOs, Self Help Groups, Government Bodies, and Artists can install stalls at the station with a minimal R.S. 500 fee for 15 days at the selected station under the project.
- The railway station will provide a temporary store structure, water, and electricity; free of cost for the OSOP project.
- Vendors will also be allotted an identity card. They will also get a badge indicating the ‘One Product, One Station’ scheme.
- To encourage the digital India movement, the store will also accept Digital payment from the buyers.
- Sale to transit passengers will also be allowed. Authorised vendors can sell their products on the train.
How will Railway Station allot stalls Under the scheme?
The Railway will accept applications for store allotment from a registered NGO dedicated to promoting local products, local artisan bodies, private groups, co-operatives selling similar products selected under the scheme, self-help groups, etc. The interested and qualified vendors will need to submit their applications to the senior divisional corporation manager of the station with the details of the product.
If the division receives several applications, the stall will be allotted through an open lottery or public draw system.
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