Railways powers rural economy, local products get US$ 17.21 million market at stations
- IBEF
- September 3, 2026
Indian Railways' One Station One Product (OSOP) scheme has emerged as an important platform for promoting local artisans, weavers, craftspeople and small-scale producers by connecting their products with millions of railway passengers. More than 2,300 OSOP outlets are currently operational across over 2,000 railway stations nationwide, benefiting more than 1.54 lakh individuals. The scheme has recorded cumulative sales of approximately Rs. 162.39 crore (US$ 17.21 million), while nearly 1.5 lakh direct beneficiaries have received market opportunities through the initiative. Launched on March 25, 2022, the OSOP scheme leverages the extensive reach of Indian Railways to transform railway stations into accessible marketplaces for regional and indigenous products. Following a 15-day pilot across 19 stations, the initiative was expanded through a structured rollout, with stalls allotted on a rotational basis at nominal fees to encourage wider participation.
The outlets offer a diverse range of products, including handicrafts, handloom and textile products, toys, leather goods, jewellery, traditional products and local food items. Regional products such as Madhubani paintings and Bhagalpuri silk from Bihar, Gamosa and Mekhela Chador from Assam, Kota Doria and Sanganeri prints from Rajasthan, Channapatna toys from Karnataka, Kanchipuram silk from Tamil Nadu, Kolhapuri footwear from Maharashtra and Moradabad brassware from Uttar Pradesh are being promoted through the network. West Bengal has the highest number of OSOP units at 378, followed by Maharashtra with 205, Tamil Nadu with 199 and Uttar Pradesh with 196 units. To facilitate participation by small producers, registration fees for 15 days range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000, depending on the station category, while digital payment options such as UPI, BHIM, POS machines and digital wallets are encouraged. The continued expansion of OSOP is supporting grassroots entrepreneurship, strengthening market access for local producers and promoting India's traditional products and cultural heritage through the country's railway network.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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