IRCTC to lose railway catering monopoly under new policy

In a major policy initiative, the railway ministry has decided to take over the management of base kitchens and on-board catering from the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd and run these through the zonal railway units, which will be accountable for the quality.

The move is aimed at dismantling cartels in the sector. A survey ordered by Banerjee before framing the new policy found that IRCTC was being run by a cartel of contractors, mostly from Bihar, whose only focus was profit.

In the new scheme of things, private caterers with extremely strong brands will be invited to take up mobile catering, though a strict control on pricing and quality will be kept by the zonal head (the general manager). The new policy makes it clear that the railways will not keep profit in mind.

Under the new policy, the railway board will determine the menu and tariff for standard meals, breakfast, tea, coffee and catering charges for meals. Zonal railways will determine menu and tariff for all other items and Jan Ahaar outlets.

The zonal railways will also be instrumental in setting up a grid of modern mega, medium and small base kitchens to ensure all mobile catering is serviced through these to improve quality, hygiene, cleanliness and use of standard ingredients.

The policy underlines there should be no cooking on platforms at suburban stations.