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New Delhi: The Consultative Committee Meeting of Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Railways was held on Thursday in New Delhi, said the Ministry in a statement. Chaired by Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, the meeting addressed two crucial topics: Catering Services on Indian Railways and Station Development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, it added.
During the meeting, the statement highlighted that approximately 1.8 crores passengers travel daily on Indian Railways, and the ministry is committed to ensuring adequate catering facilities for the convenience of passengers. Further, it added that extensive analysis and structural reforms have been undertaken to bring about a paradigm shift in the catering business.
Catering services on Indian Railways are provided through static units and mobile units, said the statement. There are 473 pairs of trains equipped with pantry cars or mini pantries, and 706 pairs of trains offer train-side vending facilities, it added. Additionally, Indian Railways operates 9,342 minor and 582 major static units, including Jan Aahaars outlets, Food Plazas, and Refreshment Rooms. To enhance the quality of food, the ministry has unbundled catering services, distinguishing between food preparation and distribution. IRCTC has been given flexibility to customize menus, incorporating regional cuisine, seasonal delicacies, and food preferences of different passenger groups. The introduction of the e-catering scheme and cashless transaction facilities further improve the dining experience. Regular audits and inspections are conducted to maintain service standards, the statement added.
Regarding station development, it was highlighted that upgradation and modernisation of railway stations are ongoing processes. Rani Kamlapati station in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhinagar station in Gujarat, and Sir M Visvesvaraya Railway Station in Karnataka have already been redeveloped. Building on this experience, the Amrit Bharat Station scheme has been launched to continuously improve station amenities. The scheme entails preparing master plans and implementing them in phases, focusing on access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lifts/escalators, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products, passenger information systems, executive lounges, business meeting spaces, landscaping, and more. The scheme also emphasises integration with the city, multimodal connectivity, facilities for people with disabilities, sustainable solutions, ballastless tracks, roof plazas, and long-term creation of city centers. The plan aims to upgrade/modernise 1,275 stations across Indian Railways.
During the meeting, Members of Parliament shared valuable suggestions on both subjects. Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, expressed gratitude for their inputs.
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