Indian Railways alert: These things to cost you more; Check reason behind new decision

Unable to control the rampant overcharging in trains by the tea and coffee vendors, the Indian Railways has now decided to increase the prices of the two beverages. The price of a 150 ml cup of tea with a tea bag and 150 ml coffee using instant coffee powder in disposable cups of 170 ml used to cost Rs 7 in the trains. However, the commuters were forced to pay Rs 10 by the tea vendors as they weren't any other option available on board.

Now, the Indian Railways has approved an IRCTC proposal to hike the cost to Rs 10 from Rs 7. However, the readymade standard tea will continue to be sold at Rs 5 per cup. It has also decided to discontinue the practice of serving tea in pots.

Tea in pots (285 ml), two tea bags, two sugar pouches which were priced at Rs 10 and coffee in pots (285 ml), with two instant coffee sachets and two sugar pouches priced at Rs 15 have been discontinued.

"It was a proposal from IRCTC which was approved by the Railway Board. It is a minimal hike. We decided to discontinue the pot system as not many were ordering it anyway. We are trying to cut down on many things that are mere frills," said an officer to PTI.

The board has asked zones to change the licence fee accordingly and adjust the price as per requirement.

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There will be no change in the prices in Rajdhani and Shatabdi as the food package in these trains are prepaid. IRCTC caters to about 350 trains that have pantry cars.