The Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu while presenting the Railway Budget 2016-17 in Parliament has said that IRCTC will manage catering services in a phased manner. He told that catering services will be unbundled by IRCTC by categorizing into food preparation and food distribution. He said that Indian Railway will explore the possibility of making mandatory catering services optional in the trains. He also said that local cuisine of choice will be made available to passengers.
Suresh Prabhu said that e-catering services will be extended to 408 A1 and A class stations. He also said that 10 more IRCTC operated, mechanized, sophisticated base kitchens will be added to ensure fresh and hygienic supply of food on trains. He said that a new policy of multi purpose stalls as against existing single purpose stalls to be introduced in all stations.
The Railway Minister said that it is proposed to ensure reservation in catering units to SC, ST, OBC, Women, persons with disabilities. To build local ownership and empowerment Prabhu proposed a process of giving weightage to district domicile holders for commercial licenses at stations. He also said that Indian Railways is exploring the feasibility of providing an option to our customers for drinking tea in kulhad.
