Indian Railways Restores Regular Meal and Quantity in Revised Menu for Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto Trains

As the cost of raw material, Whole Price Index, cost of services etc., have increased manifold since last decade, the Indian Railways has introduced revised menu and tariff for Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains with effect for 17th October 2013. A new concept of Combo Meal was also introduced as an every alternate meal on long distance Rajdhani/Duronto trains which was priced at half the cost of the regular Lunch/Dinner so as to reduce wastage/excess items. However, due to some feedback that these changes were not appreciated by some sections of travelling passengers, senior officers were deputed in all such trains for on the spot study. Based on the feedback received from passengers, regular Meal, in place of Combo Meal has been restored now.

Quantities reduced in certain dishes have also been restored. Cyclic Menu has also been introduced to give variety. Railways are making all out efforts to ensure wholesome, quality meal to the travelling passengers. Supervision & monitoring have been strengthened by deploying Railway Personnel’s /Sr. Officers for inspections to check quality & hygiene. Passenger’s feedback will now be a regular exercise.

The Menu and tariff of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains is included in the ticket fare and had not been revised since 1999. With a view to arrive at the realistic prices as well as redraw the menu more rationally, Committees had been nominated by the Board to recommend the revised rates. The committees have scientifically examined all aspects of costing keeping the objectives to provide hygiene and affordable meals with varieties to the travelling passengers on the premium trains. Based on the reports of the committee, the revised menu & tariff had been introduced from 17.10.2013 hoping to bring positive changes.

Further, keeping the objectives to provide hygiene and affordable meals with varieties to the travelling passengers on the premium trains, following major steps have also been taken in this regard:

Stringent quality parameters like supply of branded products in hygienic condition. FPO/AGMARK approved items and compliance of instructions of Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) are to be made mandatory.

Provision for external audit (Third Party Audit) by reputed and independent agency appointed by zonal railways to undertake audit of quality of services periodically to ensure the quality has been made mandatory.