RAILWAY MINISTRY NOD TO IRCTC TO CUSTOMISE THE INBOARD MENU : TO SERVE BABY FOOD, DIABETES AND REGIONAL CUISINES

BY TTT NEWS SERVICE

KOLKATA, 16 NOVEMBER 2022

The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has got the nod  from Indian railways to customize the menu which will include local, regional cuisines as well as foods for infants, diabetics and health aficionados.

In a statement the Indian railways claim that the move is to provide options to the passengers and improve inboard catering services in trains.

“As a measure to improve catering services on trains, it has been decided to give IRCTC the flexibility to customize the menu so as to include items of regional cuisines/preferences, seasonal delicacies, requirement during festivals, food items as per the preferences of a different group of passengers such as diabetic food, baby food, health food options, including millet-based local products among others,” the note  from the Railway Ministry to IRCTC stated.

Presently IRCTC has to get the menus including both the of standardised food items and beverages, approved by the Railway Board before introducing the food in trains in the country .

The note from the railway Ministry  also noted  that for ‘prepaid’ trains, in which the meal  charges are included in the passenger fare, the menu will be decided by the IRCTC within the tariff already notified.

Additionally , the sale of a-la-carte meals and branded food items at maximum retail prices shall  also be permitted on these ‘prepaid’ trains. Menu and tariff of such a-la-carte meals will be decided by the IRCTC.

However, the menu and tariff of budget  janta meals on other mail and express trains will remain the same.

“While deciding the menu, the IRCTC shall ensure that upgradation in quality and standards of food and service is maintained and safeguards are built in to avoid frequent and undue changes such as curtailment in quantity and quality, use of inferior brands, etc to avoid passenger grievances,” the note from the Railway Ministry further added.

Indians are becoming growingly health conscious and the customised and healthy  inboard meals served by IRCTC  to the passengers will be immensely popular , feels Railway Ministry.