Mumbai: The One Station One Product (OSOP) initiative, aimed at empowering women artisans, has seen significant growth, with 1,854 outlets now operating at railway stations across India.
Central Railway alone hosts 157 of these outlets, highlighting its commitment to the program. Notably, within its Bhusaval Division, there are 25 active OSOP outlets, all of which are managed by women and contribute positively to the local economy, according to Ity Pandey, the Divisional Railway Manager for Bhusaval.
The initiative allows women entrepreneurs to display a variety of local products, such as Paithani sarees, handbags, packed roasted snacks in Bhusaval and Jalgaon, and bamboo crafts in Akola, as noted by Pandey.
Launched as a pilot project in March 2022, the OSOP scheme creates dedicated sales spaces for locals to market indigenous products, enhancing livelihoods and skill development. Many of the enterprises are led by women from low-income backgrounds, offering profitable platforms that also provide training and job opportunities for other women in their communities.
For example, at Nashik Road station, the Renuka Mahila Udyog Sahakari Sansthan, comprising 1,000 women members, is empowering widows and women from slums while bolstering the local economy. In Bhusaval, the Utkarsh Swayam Sahyata Mahila Bachat Gat has launched a successful venture producing packed roasted snacks, supported by an interest-free loan.
At Jalgaon station, the Gayatri Swayam Sahayata Samuh, a group of ten women, effectively operates the OSOP stall, selling local specialties such as papad, achar, chakli, and dehydration powder.
In Akola, Shegaon, and Badnera, bamboo crafts are being transformed into attractive and functional products, supported by the Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board.
All products sold through OSOP are locally sourced, and the initiative emphasizes the inclusion of marginalized groups, including artisans, weavers, and women’s self-help groups.