Pune: Helpline for hassle-free transport of veggies, fruits

Sarang Dastane | TNN | Updated: Apr 14, 2020, 15:52 IST

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PUNE: The state agriculture marketing board has set up a dedicated helpline number for transporters, farmers and farmers’ groups to facilitate hassle-free transport of vegetables and fruits to the city.
The board has asked the transporters with three-wheeler tempos and pickup vans, often involved in movement of these essential commodities to the city, to register their details at the helpline number 1800-233-0244. The board will help establish link between the transporters, farmers and farmers’ groups to facilitate the goods’ transportation.
Sources in the marketing board claimed that in the past few days the department received many calls from farmers seeking help in transporting their produce to the city. The farmers’ groups have tied up with transporters to send vegetables to cities.
An official from the marketing board said, “Many individual farmers not attached to the farmers’ groups also want to send their produce to cities. They will be able to get the transport facilities through the helpline. The board will facilitate both farmers and transporters. The transporters will have to provide their details to our helpline. We shall link them to the farmers. The transporters will have to get all the required passes from the local administration.”
The board said it was up to the farmers and the transporters to fix the transportation charges and other details. The board earlier appealed to the transporters to avoid overcharging in this challenging situation.
Demand for passes
The State Goods and Passengers Transport Organisation has demanded identity cards or passes to avoid hassles during the transportation of food items and vegetables. Baba Shinde of the transporters’ body said the market committees should issue passes or identity cards to avoid confusion because most of the vehicles were going to wholesale markets.