Regular meals back on Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto

The Indian Railways revised their menu and tariff for Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains a week ago in view of spiralling prices of raw materials and increased cost of services -- but after a not-so-favourable feedback, the authorities decided to restore the previous menu and tariff, an official statement said Thursday.

Besides menu and tariff revision, a new combo meal was also introduced as an alternate meal on long-distance Rajdhani/Duronto trains, which was priced at half the cost of the regular lunch/dinner so as to reduce wastage. 

However, the feedback indicated that these changes were not appreciated by some sections of the travelling public and senior officers were deputed in all such trains for on-the-spot study. 

Based on the feedback from passengers, regular meal, in place of combo meal, has been restored now, the statement here said.

"Quantities reduced in certain dishes have also been restored. Cyclic menu has also been introduced to give variety. 

"Railways are making all out efforts to ensure wholesome, quality meal to the travelling passengers. Supervision and monitoring have been strengthened by deploying Railway personnel or senior officers for inspections to check quality and hygiene. Passengers' feedback will now be a regular exercise,” it said.

The charges for meals on Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains are included in the ticket fare and had not been revised since 1999. Aiming to arrive at realistic prices as well as to redraw the menu more rationally, a committee was set up by the Railway Board to recommend revised rates. 

The statement said the committee scientifically examined all aspects of costing keeping in mind the objectives to provide hygiene and affordable meals with variety to the travelling public on the premium trains. 

Based on the report of the committee, the revised menu and tariff had been introduced, it added.