IRCTC will start managing catering services in a phased manner.
Presenting the Railway Budget, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said 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 said a new policy of multi-purpose stalls as against existing single-purpose stalls would be introduced in all stations.
Prabhu said catering services would be unbundled, categorising them into food preparation and food distribution. He said Railways would explore the possibility of making mandatory catering services optional in the trains. He also said local cuisine of choice would be made available to passengers.
He 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. He also said the Railways was exploring the feasibility of providing an option for servig tea in kulhads .