IRCTC to provide quality catering, open 52 new food units

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), a unit under the ministry of railways, is developing modern facilities to meet the pressing requirements of good quality food to the travelling public.

Simultaneously, it is also working to enhance Railways' revenues by introducing the concept of food plazas/fast food units under public private partnership at stations.

So far, 53 food plazas are operational and licences for 19 food plazas have been awarded and are under various stages of construction. Additional 52 sites, 26 each for food plaza and fast food units, are under process.

The Railways offer catering services through around 10,752 static catering units, in 260 pairs of trains through pantry cars and in 80 trains though train side vending. Total departmental catering units under zonal railways are 56 and those under IRCTC are 1,426. There are a total of  3,473 private licensee catering units under zonal railways and 5,797 units under IRCTC, according to a railway ministry release.

IRCTC has also awarded licences for managing 40 cell kitchens/mini base kitchens. IRCTC will manage another 20 cell kitchens/mini base kitchens. One cell kitchen is operational at Nizamuddin railway station and 18 cell kitchens are projected to be operational at the end of 2008-09.

To ensure availability of good quality/hygienic drinking water facility to passengers, the Railway Board has given approval to IRCTC's proposal for setting of 'Rail Neer' plants at Pallur in Chennai and Ambernath in Mumbai.