Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will soon tie-up with a series of self-help groups (SHGs) to provide home cooked food on trains. This would be part of e-catering services provided by IRCTC.
The empanelled SHGs will be displayed on e-catering websites with their menu and prices. The passenger may choose meal or food items offered by SHGs and place the order.
“This will help in sustainable development of SHGs,” said the IRCTC.
“The proposed association with SHGs is part of our plan to empower women,” said IRCTC chairman and managing director A K Manocha.
“The initiative aims to develop local communities and ensure all-inclusive growth,” he added.
According to IRCTC, India has around 1 crore SHGs, mostly functioning in rural and semi-urban areas with 10 to 20 members per group. A majority of them are run by women.
“We plan to collaborate with some of them which are into making food items,” he added.
At present, IRCTC provides e-catering facility in all trains passing through the top 45 stations. It also provides food to 1,516 trains without pantry cars. Passengers may book their orders online at www.ecatering.irctc.co.in or by calling 0120-2383892-99.
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