When it comes to comfortable long-distance travel, people trust Indian Railways. The railway authorities continuously strive to improve passenger facilities. In this effort, it is now mandatory to display the menu and rate list for food served on trains. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Important Information for Passengers
Ashwini Vaishnaw stated in the Lok Sabha that displaying the food menu and prices in trains is compulsory. Passengers should have access to menu cards, rate lists, and digital alerts detailing food prices. He also mentioned that IRCTC’s website provides a full list of food items and their prices. Additionally, these details are available with train waiters and can be provided to passengers upon request.
SMS Alerts for Better Transparency
The Railway Minister further stated that, apart from displaying the rate list in pantry cars, passengers will now receive SMS alerts with links to the menu and tariff for greater transparency. These SMS notifications have been introduced to make passengers aware of the menu and pricing of food services in Indian Railways.
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Strict Monitoring of Pantry Cars
In response to a question regarding food pricing, cleanliness, and quality improvement in trains, Ashwini Vaishnaw explained the steps taken by Indian Railways. CCTV cameras have been installed in pantry cars to ensure better monitoring of food preparation. Moreover, modern facilities have been set up in base kitchens. To maintain food safety, the railway has mandated the use of branded raw materials such as cooking oil, flour, rice, pulses, spices, paneer, and dairy products.
QR Code for Complete Food Details
Emphasizing the government’s focus on food quality, the minister added that food safety supervisors have been deployed in base kitchens to monitor cleanliness and food handling. Additionally, onboard supervisors oversee food services on trains. Passengers can now verify complete details of their meals, including the kitchen name and packaging date, by scanning the QR code on food packets.