Budget 2021: Ready-to-eat meals akin to airline services for Railway passengers in the offing

In the upcoming Union Budget 2021-22, the Ministry of Railways may propose some measure that, besides being a novel step to increase Railway revenues, will also be very passenger friendly.

Under the new scheme, Railways may introduce ready-to-eat meals on the pattern of airline services. IRCTC has joined hands with companies like Haldiram, ITC, MTR, Wagh Bakri, and other big food brands to implement this plan. Once implemented, the Indian Railway passengers will be able to enjoy ready-to-eat meals from these big branded companies.

The plan is to look at ways to compensate for the losses incurred by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in its catering business because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The government is planning to implement this model in the Railways as it has been successful in the airline industry. Sources told Zee Media, the Railway Minister is eager to implement this scheme as soon as possible.

After its implementation, the trains with the pantry system will cease the contract and hand over the responsibility to IRCTC to serve ready-to-eat meals to the travellers.