One Station One Product: A new lease of life for local artisans in Lucknow

Redefining the face of the rustic retail movement in Lucknow, the Indian Railway's 'One Station One Product' scheme is set to provide a market to local artisans, weavers, craftsmen and potters at the Charbagh Railway Station soon. According to the project plan, these artisans will be permitted to set up their stalls at the rail terminal and sell their handiwork to tourists, travellers and locals at the station. Reportedly, the scheme will provide better employment opportunities to local smiths, while crediting them with due acknowledgement of their unique skills.

Towards the greater goal of the 'Made in India' movement

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The Northern Division of Indian Railways has decided to hit off the pilot phase of the 'One Station One Product' scheme in Uttar Pradesh from March 25, creating a market for local artisan at the railway stations in Varanasi and Lucknow. If the plan progresses successfully, the campaign will be launched across 18 district rail terminals in the state, said Rekha Sharma, Senior DCM Northern Railway. The rationale behind this plan is to systematically promote products popular in various districts, with an aim towards encouraging the 'Made in India' movement.

As the name suggests, the 'One Station One Product' scheme will establish a market at railway stations to sell local products that are the regional speciality there. For Lucknow, the Railways has proposed to create stalls related to Dussheri Mango goods and Chikankari pieces. Similarly, other products from different regions will pool in to create a robust network of local handicraft shops at rail terminals, boosting their sale and popularity further.

How will the One Station One Product scheme work?

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Local artisans will be required to submit an application to the Railways regarding their stalls at the stations. A lottery system will be adopted to finalise the vendor if more than one application is received for one product. Once the request is approved, the vendor will have to pay a token fee of ₹500 to secure a stall space at the terminal. Since the scheme is being implemented on a trial basis, the shops will only be there for only 15 days.

Depending upon the public feedback collected by the designated officer appointed to monitor the activity of the stalls, the scheme will be further implemented in a phased manner. The Railways will make all infrastructural and logistical arrangements to set up these stalls. It will also provide the vendor with any kind of support deemed necessary to smoothly run the operations of the stall.