The Indian Railways, in collaboration with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has launched a new initiative to provide hygienic and affordable meals and snacks to passengers, especially those in unreserved coaches. This initiative comes in response to the increased passenger traffic observed during the summer months.
Western Railway has led this initiative by introducing economical meal facilities at Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Bharuch, Vadodara and Chittaurgarh Stations. Plans are underway to identify more stations for the progressive extension of service counters for economy meals and water.
Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, shared in a press release that the meal counters are strategically located near General Second (GS) Class coaches at platforms. The initiative offers two types of meals:
- Economy Meals: Priced at an affordable Rs. 20, these meals provide a satisfying option for passengers on the go.
- Snack Meals: For passengers seeking a lighter bite, snack meals are available at Rs. 50.
Passengers can conveniently purchase their refreshments directly from these counters, eliminating the need to search for vendors or leave the station premises.
The service was successfully piloted at about 51 stations last year. Building on that success, the program has been significantly expanded, with counters now operational at over 100 stations and nearly 150 counters in total. The initiative is set for further expansion, with plans to include even more stations in the near future.
This program is particularly beneficial for passengers travelling in General Class coaches, as the readily available, affordable meals and snacks ensure travelers can stay comfortable throughout their journeys.
Also Read: Sonia, Rahul Among Congress’s Star Campaigners For Gujarat
