Railways Ministry announces the New Catering Services which separates the functioning of its food and catering or food distribution onboard. As promised in the Rail Budget, the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu revealed the ministry’s plan regarding food catering services.
To cater the growing demand for services like health and hygienic food these New Catering Services that are announced by the railway minister. For the past few years, the Indian railway is facing the complaints against food quality.
IRCTC Introduces New App Rail Connect with Advanced Security Features
Suresh Prabhu said, “IRCTC would unbundle catering service by creating distribution primarily between food preparation and its distribution. We will announce the fare structure of Humsafar soon but it will be slightly higher than the normal service”.
8/Till date, 3 Humsafar Express trains have been introduced on Indian Railways. pic.twitter.com/fQmoe0xIcL
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) February 27, 2023
Previously the food will be prepared at the state base kitchens and are distributed to the passengers through the service providers of the hospitality industry. In the new policy, the Railways Ministry aimed to attract reputed food-chain members from the market.
With the complaints on food quality, the railways replaced the existing policies after seven years giving back the catering responsibility to the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp. Ltd). The New Catering Services was implemented to encourage the e-catering system, and it finalised after taking suggestions from the stakeholders.
IRCTC Plans 2000 ATMs on Platforms and Soon it will be used for Destination Weddings
MR @sureshpprabhu flagging off of Humsafar & Antyodaya Trains & launching of new Catering Policy and partnership in parcel with India Post pic.twitter.com/2KXSFsmKu9
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) February 27, 2023
The Railway Minster flagged off the new Antyodaya Express (Train No. 22878/22877) on Monday. The Express will run from Ernakulam to Howrah. It will have cushioned luggage racks and the superfast services provided for the passengers.
Antyodaya Express will have LED lights and the dustbins in each of the compartment. It also has water purifiers, fire extinguishers and also the modular toilets and bio-toilets. Along with Antyodaya Express, the Railway Ministry also flagged off another train, i.e., Humsafar Express (14715/ 14716). It will run from Sriganganagar to Tiruchchirappalli on Tuesday and Thursday.
2/ IR will introduce the 1st Antyodaya Express between Ernakulam and Howrah viz. 22877/22878 Ernakulam-Howrah Antyodaya Express (Weekly). pic.twitter.com/mFCbVq1Z1V
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) February 27, 2023