IRCTC to set up 6 fast food units in Nagpur division

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), an arm of Indian Railways, proposes to start six fast food units in Nagpur division of Central Railway, as part of itds efforts to improve the standard of food being provided

to passengers in trains.

"These units will be set up at Ajni, Ballarshah, Wardha, Dhamangaon, Chandrapur and Sevagram railway stations," Ahad Siddiqui, area manager (catering services), IRCTC, said.

Central Railway will allocate 150 sq ft space on platforms where the fast food units will be set up. The units will, however, be run by private licensees.

Siddiqui was speaking on the sidelines of the reopening of a food plaza on platform number 1 on Nagpur Railway Station. The food plaza was closed for six months for non-payment of licence fee.

"In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC will set up new kitchens and upgrade existing ones in Nagpur and Ballarshah," said IRCTC officials.

Under the new catering policy announced on 27 February, IRCTC will handle the preparation of food items while private parties will only be allowed to distribute food items.

Railways is has already taken over catering on trains across the country following complaints on the quality of food served by private caterers.

So far, the IRCTC has taken over catering in 76 passenger trains, including 40 mail/express and remaining premium trains like Rajdhani and Duronto where licencees have been appointed on pantry cars and food is also made

available on mobiles.

In Nagpur 15 quality food providers have been appointed," said Siddiqui.

IRCTC officials said all four base kitchens under departmental operation of Central Railway zone (Nagpur, CSTM, Mumbai Central and Ballarshah) and all kitchen units, refreshment rooms at A1 and A category stations, Jan

Ahaar, cell kitchens are to be handed over to IRCTC on 'as is where is basis'. IRCTC will set up its own kitchens at additional stations, if required.