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2,300+ OSOP Railway Outlets Boost 1.32 Lakh Artisans with Local Crafts

The government's One Station One Product (OSOP) initiative has expanded to over 2,000 railway stations with approximately 2,326 outlets, benefiting more than 1.32 lakh people. The scheme showcases regional diversity, from Madhubani paintings in Patna to cane crafts in Tamil Nadu, providing artisans and Self-Help Groups with vital market access. It prioritizes inclusion for those with limited reach to formal markets, helping scale businesses and preserve traditional skills. Launched in the 2022-23 Union Budget, OSOP also enhances passenger experience by offering authentic local products, promoting the 'Vocal for Local' movement through India's railway network.

Key Points: OSOP Initiative: 2,326 Railway Outlets Aid 1.32 Lakh Artisans

  • Over 2,326 outlets at stations
  • Benefits 1.32 lakh people nationwide
  • Promotes regional crafts like Madhubani paintings
  • Supports artisans & SHGs with market access
2 min read

Over 2,300 OSOP outlets at railway stations benefit 1.32 lakh people: Govt

Over 2,300 OSOP outlets at Indian railway stations benefit 1.32 lakh people, promoting local crafts like Madhubani paintings and Sanganeri prints.

"helping them scale their businesses and sustain traditional skills - Government statement"

New Delhi, March 25

The Centre's 'One Station One Product' initiative has expanded to over 2,000 railway stations with around 2,326 outlets, benefiting more than 1.32 lakh people across the country, it was informed on Wednesday.

Products showcased under the initiative reflect regional diversity, ranging from Madhubani paintings at Patna station to cane crafts at Tenkasi Junction in Tamil Nadu.

Similar trends are visible across stations, with handloom products and artefacts attracting buyers at Asansol in West Bengal, while cotton textiles and traditional attar perfumes are being showcased at Chennai's Moore Market Complex station.

In Odisha's Balangir, handcrafted toys made by local SHGs are generating steady income for artisans, particularly women, while Jaipur's OSOP outlet is promoting Sanganeri print textiles. At Tatanagar in Jharkhand, local handicrafts are reaching a wider customer base through the initiative.

According to the government, the scheme prioritises inclusion by focusing on artisans and groups with limited access to formal markets, helping them scale their businesses and sustain traditional skills.

Beyond commerce, OSOP is also enhancing passenger experience by offering authentic local products as souvenirs, blending cultural exposure with everyday travel.

With its growing footprint, the initiative is emerging as a key platform for promoting 'Vocal for Local' and strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship through India's railway network.

Launched in the Union Budget 2022-23, the initiative aims to promote indigenous products by providing dedicated retail spaces at railway stations, enabling local artisans, weavers, farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to access a wider market.

The scheme, rolled out on March 25, 2022, after a pilot across 19 stations, has been scaled up in phases, with stalls allotted on a rotational basis at nominal charges to ensure broader participation.

As of October 2025, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) had achieved significant progress under the initiative, with a total of 112 stations under the jurisdiction of the NFR that have operational OSOP outlets, covering 135 functional units.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good step by the government. Railway stations have massive footfall, so it's a smart way to give visibility to local products. Hope they maintain the quality and don't let it become just another overpriced souvenir shop.
A
Aman W
The real benefit is for women in SHGs, as mentioned in Balangir. Economic empowerment at the grassroots is the need of the hour. If this helps even a few thousand families become self-reliant, it's a big win.
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Sarah B
As a tourist, I love this concept. It turns a mundane wait for a train into a cultural experience. I picked up some lovely cane work from Tamil Nadu. It's a perfect way to take a piece of India's diversity back home.
V
Vikram M
Numbers sound impressive, but the key is sustainability. Are these outlets actually profitable for the artisans after the nominal charges? Need transparency on actual income generated vs. costs. Hope it's not just a PR exercise.
K
Kavya N
Vocal for Local in action! 🎉 This is how we preserve our heritage. My mother used to do Madhubani painting, and seeing it at Patna station fills me with pride. Hope they expand to even more stations, especially in smaller towns.

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