IRCTC will start managing catering services in a phased manner.
Presenting the Railway Budget, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that e-catering services would be extended to 408 A1 and A class stations, and that 10 more IRCTC operated, mechanised, sophisticated base kitchens would be added to ensure fresh and hygienic supply of food on trains. He added that a new policy of multi-purpose stalls, as against the existing single-purpose stalls, would be introduced at all stations.
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Prabhu also said that catering services would be unbundled and categorised into food preparation and food distribution. He added that the Railways would explore the possibility of making mandatory catering services optional in the trains and that local cuisine of choice would be made available to passengers.
The Railway Minister also said it was proposed to ensure reservation in catering units to SC, ST, OBC, women and persons with disabilities. To build local ownership and empowerment, Prabhu proposed a process of giving weightage to district domicile holders for commercial licences at stations. The Railways was exploring the feasibility of providing an option for serving tea in kulhads, according to Prabhu.