Rlys back with Janata meals

Refreshment rooms will be converted into Jan Ahar outlets to serve Janata meals and economy combo food. Tea and beverages will be served through automatic vending machines.  

The Railway Ministry will take over the management of almost all catering services from the public sector Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in a phased manner and services will be provided through departmental catering.

The new catering policy allows no cooking on platforms and it will do away with the use of gas burners on trains and platforms. These will be replaced by electric kitchen equipment like deep freezers and microwave ovens.

Mamata has radically changed the policy of awarding contracts and zonal authorities have been given the responsibility of inviting tenders and selecting service providers. But the menu and tariff will be decided the Railway Board.  Reservation in awarding contracts has been made for minorities and below the poverty line people.

Congestion on platforms has also been addressed and the main platforms at big stations can’t have more than six catering units excluding the AVMs. All  trains will get pantry cars in a phased manner right from Rajdhani and Duranto to long distance passenger trains.
The policy assures constant monitoring and a modern grievance redressal system which will ensure action within 24 hours. The contrator can be prosecuted under criminal laws also.  The policy assures hygienic food for all categories of passengers.