NEW DELHI: Get hot and tasty food on railway stations at press of a button. A proposal has been moved to the Railway Board to install food vending machines on railway platforms on the lines of used in some Bangalore based IT companies to quality food to passengers.
IRCTC has moved a proposal to the Railway Board to start the food vending machine on pilot basis. There is a proposal to provide 6-7 menu options, which can be selected by pressing a button.
Initially the plan is to start it at New Delhi Railway Station and Varanasi and to club it with Jan Aahar canteen run by railways. But IRCTC has to seek permission for Railway Board as under Jan Aahar, no food item can be above Rs 50.
“This is a move to provide good quality food to passengers and innovative ways are being explored for convenience of passengers,” said sources in railway ministry.
IRCTC last year has started the e-catering facility whereby passengers can book food of their choices online and it is delivered at their seats as choice of station.
Currently e-catering is available in about 1500 non-pantry trains and 45 stations. About 2500 to 5000 meals are being booked in a day through IRCTC e-catering site. The plan is to expand the facility at 400 stations and menu includes 200 items.
For its e-catering facility, now known as ‘Food on Track’, IRCTC has already tied up with online delivery firm Food Panda, enabling consumers to order from a variety of cuisine options. It is in talks with several other reputed catering companies to increase the variety.
As per the procedure, a passenger orders through the website, mobile app or over the phone, and selects the food of his choice from those listed restaurants. To popularize the scheme among passengers, IRCTC is providing many offers and discounts coupons.