Rlys change track, to offer 5-star plates
Now, Indian Railways is gearing itself to serve five-star cuisine to passengers. It plans to empanel food experts from five star hotels to advice it on revamping catering facilities and cuisine.
By Rajat Guha, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Stereotype thalis are passe. Now, Indian Railways is gearing itself to serve five-star cuisine to passengers. It plans to empanel food experts from five star hotels to advice it on revamping catering facilities and cuisine.
The experts will also help railways set up food plazas at major railway stations. The intention is to serve food ranging from Italian to Chinese to Mughlai.
The beginning has already been made with one such food plaza at Kolkata station, an official said. Indian Railways’ food and catering wing — Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation — would soon invite proposals from five-star chains for setting similar plazas and improving food quality in trains, he added.
Railway officials are also in talks with various fast food chains like McDonalds, Cafe Coffee Day, Yo China, Pepsi and Nescafe to set up food joints and dispensing machines at railway stations. However, the lip-smacking food will come with a costlier tag.
“The idea is to match everybody’s taste. The passengers would have a varied choice of food on platform, as well as inside trains,” he said. According to Rail Bhawan officials, railways would try to have an agreement with the private players, wherein they would take the land from railways on two-year lease which could be renewed later. The private players can also buy stake in the operation and maintenance of pantry cars.
Connoisseur of regional delicacies would also have reasons to smile. Indian Railways would soon start stalls at railway stations selling regional food like Bihar’s Litti-Chokha, Mumbai’s Pav-Bhaji and many other region-specific varieties.
Besides putting an end to hunger pangs, railways would also ensure safe and hygienic food. It has initiated an audit of food safety standards in base kitchens and pantry cars of trains across India. The food safety audit is done for stalls on railway platforms, kiosks and food plaza joints also. Steps are being taken to ensure international standard of cleanliness and quality catering services, which include obtaining ISO certification, food audit by professional agency and special cleanliness and hygiene drive in pantry cars.
The experts will also help railways set up food plazas at major railway stations. The intention is to serve food ranging from Italian to Chinese to Mughlai.
The beginning has already been made with one such food plaza at Kolkata station, an official said. Indian Railways’ food and catering wing — Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation — would soon invite proposals from five-star chains for setting similar plazas and improving food quality in trains, he added.
Railway officials are also in talks with various fast food chains like McDonalds, Cafe Coffee Day, Yo China, Pepsi and Nescafe to set up food joints and dispensing machines at railway stations. However, the lip-smacking food will come with a costlier tag.
“The idea is to match everybody’s taste. The passengers would have a varied choice of food on platform, as well as inside trains,” he said. According to Rail Bhawan officials, railways would try to have an agreement with the private players, wherein they would take the land from railways on two-year lease which could be renewed later. The private players can also buy stake in the operation and maintenance of pantry cars.
Connoisseur of regional delicacies would also have reasons to smile. Indian Railways would soon start stalls at railway stations selling regional food like Bihar’s Litti-Chokha, Mumbai’s Pav-Bhaji and many other region-specific varieties.
ADVERTISEMENT
Besides putting an end to hunger pangs, railways would also ensure safe and hygienic food. It has initiated an audit of food safety standards in base kitchens and pantry cars of trains across India. The food safety audit is done for stalls on railway platforms, kiosks and food plaza joints also. Steps are being taken to ensure international standard of cleanliness and quality catering services, which include obtaining ISO certification, food audit by professional agency and special cleanliness and hygiene drive in pantry cars.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
