Railways plan to offer shopping on Shatabdi Express
15 Oct 2012
Soon travellers will get to relieve the boredom of long, tiring rail journeys on select trains thanks to the decision by Indian Railways to introduce on board shopping.
According to a senior railway ministry official quoted by PTI, perfumes, skincare products, handbags, watches and exquisite jewellery, among other gift items, would be available for sale in Shatabdi Express in the executive class and chair cars.
Chocolate lovers, would be able indulge their taste for the confection from a range of the showcased items on trolleys, he added. Additionally, there would be souvenirs associated with railways on offer for passengers.
A firm has contracted to provide the on-board facility on a pilot basis on Shatabdi trains for a month, he said, adding, it would start with the Bhopal Shatabdi and the experience on trolley would also be extended to other Shatabdi trains to gauge the response.
Under the terms of the arrangement, the firm has deposited Rs 2 lakh towards security money and would also pay 12 per cent of the sale to railways.
On the basis of the response, railways would take a call on provision of the service on a long-term basis.
