IRCTC gets charge of 23 more trains for managing catering services
A K Manocha, Chairman of IRCTC said,“As we take up more responsibilities, we are proud of the confidence the Railways has in the quality and efficiency of the catering provided by the IRCTC. Our goal will be to continue to improve the services for the passengers.”
As a part of the Indian Railways' effort to bring in efficient management in train's food supply services, Indian Railways Catering Tourism Corp (IRCTC) is now set to manage catering services on 23 more trains.
Following the addition, the number of trains has been increased to 115 - under IRCTC.
Among the newly added trains are Purushottam Express, Patna-Ranchi Jan Shatabdi, Kalka Mail, Bhrahmaputra Mail, Licchawi Express, Bangalore City-Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express and Bangalore City-Chennai Shatabdi and many more.
Earlier IRCTC used to manage catering service of 65 express trains, six Rajdhanis, 13 Duronto, six Shatabdi and two Suvidha trains. Of these 29 trains are served by the department and 63 through licensees.
In the Railway Budget 2016-17, Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Railways had announced that IRCTC would manage catering services in a phased manner. He also added that the IRCTC would unbundle catering services by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution.
For unbundling catering service, an announcement will be made soon with plans to streamline catering operations by setting up base kitchens across the country and assigning separate agencies to prepare and distribute the food.
A K Manocha, Chairman of IRCTC said,“As we take up more responsibilities, we are proud of the confidence the Railways has in the quality and efficiency of the catering provided by the IRCTC. Our goal will be to continue to improve the services for the passengers.”
Going ahead, IRCTC will also manage catering services on all new trains along with the trains introduced on short notice or otherwise. Also the trains whose contract has been terminated or surrendered will also be closely watched by IRCTC.
Not only this, IRCTC also planning to construct budget hotels at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and Sawantwadi near Goa on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. It has already invited expression of interest for these projects.
Also, IRCTC plans to build a Rail Neer plant in Hapur in Uttar Pradesh holding capacity of 1 lakh litres per day. The setting up of plant focuses at serving Agra, Muradabad, Izzatnagar and Delhi division. It is expected to be functional in the next one and a half years.
At present there are six Rail Neer plants operational in Delhi, Patna, Chennai, Amethi, Mumbai and Trivandrum, with a combined capacity of 7 lakh litres per day. A seventh rail neew plant is expected to be open at Bilaspur will in the next 2-3 months.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Retirement Planning: SIP+SWP combination; Rs 15,000 monthly SIP for 25 years and then Rs 1,52,000 monthly income for 30 years
Top Gold ETF vs Top Large Cap Mutual Fund 10-year Return Calculator: Which has given higher return on Rs 11 lakh investment; see calculations
Retirement Calculator: 40 years of age, Rs 50,000 monthly expenses; what should be retirement corpus and monthly investment
SBI 444-day FD vs Union Bank of India 333-day FD: Know maturity amount on Rs 4 lakh and Rs 8 lakh investments for general and senior citizens
EPF vs SIP vs PPF Calculator: Rs 12,000 monthly investment for 30 years; which can create highest retirement corpus
Home loan EMI vs Mutual Fund SIP Calculator: Rs 70 lakh home loan EMI for 20 years or SIP equal to EMI for 10 years; which can be easier route to buy home; know maths
08:48 AM IST