Central Railway along with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is stepping up to serve passengers, particularly those in unreserved compartments (General Class Coaches), with a new initiative offering hygienic meals and snacks at affordable prices.
Anticipating the surge in passenger traffic during the summer months, Indian Railways recognised the challenges faced by those traveling in unreserved compartments (General Class Coaches), who may not always have access to convenient and budget-friendly meal options and took the initiative for them.
The initiative offers a two-pronged approach:
Economy Meals: Priced at a pocket-friendly Rs 20/-, these meals provide a satisfying and affordable option for passengers on the go.
Snack Meals: For those seeking a lighter bite, Rs 50/- snack meals are also available.
To ensure easy access, these meals and water have been made available at counters conveniently located near unreserved compartments (General Class Coaches) on platforms. Passengers can buy their refreshments directly from these counters, eliminating the need to search for vendors or venture outside the station.
On Central Railway, these meal counters are available at following stations:
Mumbai Division – Igatpuri and Karjat
Bhusaval Division – Manmad, Khandwa, Badnera and Shegaon
Pune Division – Pune, Miraj, Daund and Sainagar Shirdi
Nagpur Division – Nagpur and Wardha
Solapur Division – Solapur, Wadi and Kurduwadi
This service was successfully piloted at about 51 stations last year. Building on that success, Railways has significantly expanded the program, with counters now operational at over 100 stations and nearly 150 counters in total. The initiative is slated for further growth, encompassing even more stations in the near future.
This program offers a significant benefit for passengers, particularly those travelling in General Class coaches. The readily available, affordable meals and snacks ensure travellers can stay comfortable throughout their journeys.