Railway stations as marketplaces: Palampur, Baijnath & Jwalamukhi road lead the way

In a move to promote indigenous products and support local artisans, the Ministry of Railways has officially launched the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme across India from Friday. The scheme aligns with the ‘Vocal for Local’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to provide a national platform for regional specialties while boosting the income of local artisans and small-scale producers.

Taking this initiative forward in Himachal Pradesh, three major railway stations — Palampur, Baijnath Paprola and Jwalamukhi Road — have been selected under the OSOP scheme. These stations, which fall under the Jammu Division, will now serve as hubs for promoting and marketing traditional and indigenous products.

Under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager (Jammu) Vivek Kumar and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, designated spaces at these stations will be allotted to local artisans and entrepreneurs. The scheme will showcase and sell products such as handlooms, wood carvings, edible fruits and other items unique to the region.

Speaking to reporters, Singhal highlighted the significance of the initiative, saying, “This scheme will empower local artisans and craftsmen by offering them a sustainable platform to market their products and connect with both domestic and international consumers.” The OSOP scheme is also expected to generate employment opportunities for the unemployed youth of Himachal Pradesh by encouraging self-employment and entrepreneurship.

As per the guidelines, interested applicants must register with the railway authorities for an initial period of three months, after which re-registration will be required for continued participation.

By combining local talent with national infrastructure, the OSOP scheme is set to transform railway stations into vibrant marketplaces, celebrating India’s cultural and economic diversity, one station at a time.

Himachal Tribune