NEW DELHI: To provide quality food on trains, Railways is working on a new catering policy which will replace the 2010 policy introduced by then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that the new catering policy would be unveiled soon as he extended station-based e-catering policy to 408 major stations from the existing 45.
“We plan to provide food in trains from mechanised kitchens as we want to slowly phase out pantry cars from trains as it has become difficult to maintain them,” Prabhu said.
In order to broadbase the culinary choices, the Railways have decided to involve self-help groups (SHG) and passengers can order food from these groups also.
There are four ways for booking food at stations. First, dial 1323, order food and make payment through cash-on-delivery (COD) mode. Second, download the “Food on Track” app on Android or IOS platforms, order food and make payment either in advance or through COD mode.
Third, food can be ordered on IRCTC’s e-catering website — ecatering.irctc.co.in – and payment can be made online in advance or through CoD mode. Lastly, passengers can choose to SMS to 139 and order food after giving details of their PNR and seat number.
To increase the freight revenue and market share, Railways has rationalised its freight policy and is offering competitive pricing.