Mango special set to chug off

VIJAYAWADA, April 4: The Nuzvid railway station in Krishna district, which otherwise has a deserted look, is gearing up for the annual mango exports. The first mango special is going to chug off on Monday.

The railway officials are busy making arrangements like setting up weighing machines, deploying hamalis, providing drinking water facilities, repairing the approach roads for lorries and readying rakes, etc.
For the last few years, mango special trains have been running between Nuzvid and Naya Azadpur in New Delhi. These goods trains would run for two months in every season.
“Actually, we open the counters to receive indents from traders from Sunday. Rakes (each rake contains 42 wagons) will be readied on Monday. So, physical loading of fruits will start only on Monday. By the same evening the first mango special will leave for the capital,” explained Mr B. Vijaya Bhaskar, senior divisional commercial manager of Vijayawada.
Last year, the exports were affected due to the “mangu” virus. AP Fruits and Growers Association, which is a forwarding agency of mango traders in this region has asked for 35 rakes for exports this year. “We are ready with the export orders. But we have been facing labour problem to cut the mango from the tree and pack the fruits,” said a trader in the association.
Last year, the railways earned a revenue of Rs 4.25 crore through mango exports only from the Nuzvid station. “We are expecting Rs 5 crore this year,” said Mr Vijaya Bhaskar. The farmers hope that traders in north India buy the entire produce of their farms.