IRCTC brings new catering policy from Ministry of Railway

In a move to enhance the quality of food and better services, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) came up with various new initiative for catering policy.

Under the new categoring policy, IRCTC plans to divide the service facility such as the base kitchen and distributions to have seprate operators. It could set up own Base Kitchen or could franchise it under its own supervision. 

This new policy focuses in providing more food choices. In regards to this, the Indian railways will expand the ready to eat meal services for the travelling passengers. 

Also in new trains like TEJAS and UDAY trains, the food & beverages vending machine will be installed. With this the passenger will be able get beverages like coffee, packed juice, cold drink, biscuits, other snacks and packed foods by putting money eliminating the wait of service men. 

As the existing food in trains do not much satisfy the railway passengers, the IRCTC plans to refresh the food menu by introducing new menu with local flavours. 

IRCTC plans to bring in rate flexibility on food menu - which means the food menu rates might be decided by the association. However, in Aam Aadmi food or Jan Ahar  will remain mandatory. Remaining all Al Carte basis the prices can be charged by IRCTC. 

To make this policy effective, IRCTC has been providing ready to eat food samples to railway passenger on trial basis on Mumbai Rajdhani trains

The new policy will also have a proper complaints and redresal mechanism. Stringent action will be taken if  any complaint regarding food quality, hygiene, temperature, service etc comes from railways passengers whether it may be service provider or IRCTC or any private party.

Further, IRCTC will also be given charge of 30 more trains from the existign 62 trains in the next 10 days.