railway-stations-in-himachal-turn-hubs-for-local-crafts

In a heartening push to support local talent and celebrate regional crafts, the Ministry of Railways has officially rolled out the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme across India.

 

Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ vision, this initiative aims to give artisans and small-scale producers a national platform to showcase their unique products — while also boosting their incomes and encouraging entrepreneurship.

 

Taking this project forward in Himachal Pradesh, the railway stations at Palampur, Baijnath Paprola, and Jwalamukhi Road — all under the Jammu Division — have been chosen to lead this initiative. These stations are being transformed into vibrant hubs where traditional crafts and indigenous goods such as handlooms, wood carvings, and locally grown fruits will be put on display and made available for sale.

 

 

Under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Vivek Kumar and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal, specific spaces at these stations will be allotted to local artisans and vendors. “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,” Singhal further said.

 

They’re not just selling products — they’re telling stories, keeping traditions alive, and in many cases, building livelihoods from scratch.

 

Besides showcasing culture, the OSOP scheme is going to create much-needed employment opportunities, particularly for the unemployed youth in Himachal, by promoting self-employment and small businesses.

 

The process is simple — those who are interested can register with the railway authorities for an initial three-month term. If they want to continue, they need to re-register themselves, allowing new faces and fresh products to find space at these marketplaces.

 

By turning stations into mini bazaars of local culture and creativity, the OSOP scheme will bring India’s railway platforms alive — one product, one artisan, and one station at a time.