Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently held a meeting with officials to discuss exciting plans for enhancing the dining experience on Vande Bharat trains. The aim is to offer local cuisine that showcases the unique flavors of the regions the trains travel through. This initiative will expand across the railway network over time, making journeys not just about getting from point A to point B, but about enjoying a taste of each area’s culture.
In another important update, Indian Railways is cracking down on the use of fake identities for ticket bookings. This new system to verify user identities is proving effective. The IRCTC website now sees about 5,000 new user IDs created daily, a tremendous improvement compared to the nearly 100,000 new IDs registered before these reforms. So far, approximately 3.03 crore fake accounts have been deactivated, and an additional 2.7 crore accounts are under scrutiny for suspicious activities.
During the meeting, Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the need for a ticketing system that all travelers can easily use and access with real user IDs. Just recently, he reported to Parliament that Aadhaar-based OTP verification for online Tatkal bookings is now live for 322 trains. This change has led to a 65% increase in the availability of confirmed Tatkal tickets.
The move towards local cuisine and a more secure ticketing system reflects a broader trend in the travel industry, where passenger experience and safety are top priorities. According to a recent survey by the Railway Ministry, about 78% of travelers expressed interest in local food offerings while traveling, indicating a strong desire for a more personalized experience on trains.
With these advancements, the Indian Railways is not only enhancing passenger satisfaction but also working towards a more secure and efficient travel environment. These efforts are stepping stones toward transforming railway travel in India into a cultural and culinary journey.
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Centre, cuisine, Vande Bharat, trains, Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw
