Indian Railways is taking big steps to improve the food served on its trains. Frustrated by years of complaints about lousy meals, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is rolling out a new plan. Under this model, food preparation and service will be done by different teams, with professional catering companies now in charge of cooking.
This change means passengers can expect fresh, hygienic, restaurant-quality meals, much like those served on airlines or in high-end eateries. This is a significant shift from the past when IRCTC handled everything internally or relied on local vendors. This often resulted in complaints about stale food and hygiene issues.
Trial Runs Already Underway
IRCTC has kicked off trials on popular routes of the Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains. Well-known food brands like Haldiram and ISKCON are already serving meals. Early feedback from passengers has been positive, encouraging IRCTC to plan a broader rollout.
Officials suggest that expert caterers will now prepare meals, ensuring consistent taste and better hygiene. The new menu will also feature local flavors, carefully curated for each route.
Where the Trials Are Taking Place:
Several routes are testing the new system, including:
• Nagpur–Secunderabad: Haldiram
• Ahmedabad–Veraval: CAFS Gandhinagar Kitchen
• Delhi–Sitamarhi: Touch Stone Foundation
A Fresh Menu:
IRCTC is introducing a route-specific menu that celebrates local cuisines:
• South India: local curries and snacks
• North India: special thalis and millet dishes
• Regional routes: branded meals that highlight local favorites
This initiative aims to enhance the passenger experience by offering better nutrition and quality. With promising results from initial trials, IRCTC is preparing for an expansion that could modernize Indian Railways’ catering system like never before.
Experts note that optimizing food services could also contribute to higher overall satisfaction among travelers. Catering to local tastes may tap into a huge market, as regional cuisines are popular and can attract more passengers. Many trains across the world have improved their catering systems with similar strategies, showing that a good meal can elevate the travel experience significantly.
With the changes underway, it seems Indian Railways is on the right track to revolutionize train dining and meet passenger demands.
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