Vizag Railway Station first to implement Etikoppaka toys as Centre’s ‘One Station, One Product’

The Government of India announced the concept of “One Station One Product” in the recent budget with an aim to promote tourism and give a boost to local industries. Vizag will be the first railway station in the East Coast Railway to implement the concept with Etikoppaka toys. Making each railway station a promotional hub, the concept is set to start off on the East Coast with Visakhapatnam.

The railway stations will act as a marketing channel and stalls are said to be allotted where the local product, distinct to the respective area, will be sold. The Railway Board has advised identifying one station on each zonal railway for implementing the same concept, initially as a pilot project for a period of 15 days.

The Vizag Railway Station of East Coast Railway has been identified as the first station in this zone for the implementation of the “One station One Product” concept with Etikoppaka toys. Initially starting it off on a pilot basis for a period of 15 days. A major station with tourist destinations, education hubs, health services, and a regular flow of passengers from various parts of India, Vizag fits the concept. It is the nearest major station to the famous Etikoppaka toys manufacturing village, therefore promoting them as the one product of this zonal railway. Etikoppaka toys and its allied handicraft products will be showcased and sold at the station.

Temporary stalls will be erected by the Railways and kiosks will be set up in areas that are easily accessible while boarding and deboarding the train at the station. The identification of craftswomen and craftsmen would be done with the help of local Self-Help Groups (SHG), NGOs, and Co-operative societies that are involved in making the identified products.

The interested parties are requested to submit their applications to the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Waltair, with the product details. In case there is a large turnout of applications, the allotment is said to be done through an open lottery or public draw system only. Divisional Railway Manager Shri Anup Satpathy appealed to those with expertise in wood crafting and hailing from in-and-around Vizag to use this unique opportunity and market their product.