Soon, better catering service on board trains

Rlys ropes in professionals to manage preparation & distribution of food

The next time you board a train, expect good catering service during the journey. The Railways is going to revamp its entire food supply system in order to ensure supply of fresh, hot and hygienic food to passengers. The initiative is part of the Railways’ new catering policy, which its subsidiary Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation is going to implement.

“The new policy has special provisions aimed at ensuring better catering services to passengers,” said Sandeep Dutta, public relations officer (PRO), IRCTC. One major change is that the Railways has roped in professionals to manage preparation and distribution of food. “It’s one of the important moves as earlier there used to be one contractor. But this time there will be two – one for preparation of food and the other for its distribution. This is perhaps a smart way to keep a check on food quality,” said Dutta.

In addition to the split-distribution system, the Railways is also going to establish its own kitchens, equipped with worldclass facilities. The functioning of these kitchens would be ensured by the IRCTC. “Setting up of base kitchens will be a big move as these will ensure distribution of food along the rail network,” he added. As the new policy requires huge infrastructure, the date of its implementation is yet to be finalised. The IRCTC is already working on the implementation part, said Dutta.