Now, a passenger travelling from Chennai to Delhi by Rajdhani Express, keen on having South Indian food onboard, will be surprised to find his/her favourite cuisine arriving on the platter. Ministry of Railways has delegated additional powers for IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation) to decide the menu of a-la-carte meals served in Rajdhani/Shatabdi type premium trains in which catering charges are pre-paid. IRCTC will offer a variety of cuisines to choose from including North Indian, South Indian and Continental. Apart from these options, regional foods will also be available on the menu, so that passengers can be served with home delicacies while travelling.The menu shall be decided by IRCTC within the tariff already notified.
In other Mail/Express trains, where catering charges are not pre-paid, menu of standard meals can be decided by IRCTC within the fixed tariff already notified. However, in Mail/Express trains, the menu and tariff of Janata meals shall remain unchanged.
- For prepaid trains in which catering charges are included in the passenger fare, the menu shall be decided by IRCTC within the tariff already notified. In addition, sale of a-la-carte meals and branded food items on MRP will also be permitted in these prepaid trains. Menu and tariff of such a-la-carte meals will be decided by IRCTC.
- a) For other Mail/Express trains, menu of budget segment items like standard meals shall be decided by IRCTC within the fixed tariff already notified. Menu and Tariff of Janta Meals shall remain unchanged.
b) Sale of a-la-carte meals and branded food items on MRP will be permitted on Mail/Express trains. Menu and tariff of such a-la-carte meals will be decided by IRCTC.
3) While deciding the menu, IRCTC shall ensure that:
a) Upgradation in quality and standards of food and service is maintained and safeguards are built in to avoid frequent and undue changes such as curtailment in quantity and quality, use of inferior brands, etc to avoid passenger grievances.
b) The menu should be commensurate with the tariff and menus are pre-notified for information of passengers and advised to Railways before introduction.
