Now, get ready-to-eat meals in trains

MUMBAI: Soon, Railway passengers need not rely only on the pantry or food cooked at station while travelling out of station.

In an attempt to offer more options to the passengers in terms of the food, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will offer ready-to-eat meals to its passengers. “In order to offer consistency in hygiene and food quality the IRCTC is trying various options. This includes offering ready-to-eat meals. Currently, we are undertaking free trial across the country with ready-to-eat food packets and have received a good response,” said Arvind Malkhede, the group general manager of west zone Mumbai.

The IRCTC has commissioned a free trial of ready-to-eat meals in the premium Rajdhani train for the past two days. “In the ready to eat meals the passen water and their meal would be ready,” added Malkhede.

There are five varieties of such meals available that include upma, poha, kesari halwa, kadi rice and dal rice. While others in the list also include chicken biryani, veg-biryani, rajma masala, jeera rice, sambhar rice, lemon rice and tamarind rice.

The packets are packed scientifically with help of Defence Food Research Laboratory. “Similar food packaging technique is used by the defence forces to ensure food supply to our soldiers in remote and inaccessible areas,” said Sanjay Chakraborty, the manager of catering services in IRCTC.

The IRCTC has also commissioned e-bed rolls, an online option for passengers to buy bed-kit. This will mainly serve to sleeper class passengers who can now purchase bed-kit through IRCTC website www. irctctourism.com or buy it at the centre at CST and Bombay