Indian Railways unveils food vending machine; pizzas, fries, popcorn on menu courtesy IRCTC

Mumbai Central will be the first Indian Railways station on which rail passengers can enjoy pizzas, fries, popcorn and other fast food items from a food vending machine. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will introduce this machine by end of the month. A few days ago, the railways introduced similar machines in Coimbatore-Bengaluru UDAY Express.

Sources said the machine will dispense both vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizzas of different sizes (8-10 inches), varieties that are normally available in restaurants. The pizzas will be baked inside the machine and be readied with toppings over it.

“Pizzas will be available within 7 minutes. The cost will depend on the size and content,” said an IRCTC official.

The price will range from Rs 70 to Rs 250 depending on whether its a single slice or an entire circle or whether its thin or regular crust. This machine will also dispense fries, popsicles, juices (canned and packaged), and popcorn.

Officials have selected Mumbai Central as it is used by passengers coming to board both long distance and suburban local trains. It is likely to be kept on the concourse near the Jan Ahar stall where people wait for the trains.

IRCTC is planning to slowly replace food stalls with such food vending machines which take lesser space and can provide better food.

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The IRCTC has a range of eateries like Jan Ahar and other private caterers and restaurants that operate at railway stations. They also have an app that allows people to order food online which gets delivered inside long distance trains. Sources said that in 2016 when it first started there were merely 14 orders per day which has now skyrocketed to 3500 orders per day.

By Mehul R Thakkar, DNA India