Indian Railways continuously bring new facilities and schemes for passengers. In this series, the Railways has announced a new initiative which is related to providing cheap and quality food to passengers. The scheme is specially made keeping in mind the passengers of General Coach, who often face food problems during the journey.
Under this new initiative, special stalls will be set up at railway stations where passengers will be able to buy nutritious and delicious food at a very low price. This scheme will not only provide cheap food to the passengers, but will also take care of their health and convenience. Let’s know in detail about this new scheme.
IRCTC Economy Meals: New initiative of cheap and nutritious food
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a new scheme which has been named “IRCTC Economy Meals”. The main objective of this scheme is to provide quality food to passengers at a low price. This initiative is specially made keeping in mind the passengers of General Coach.
Brief description of IRCTC Economy Meals Scheme
| Description | Information |
| Name of the scheme | IRCTC Economy Meals |
| beginning | 2023 |
| Targeted passenger | General coach passengers |
| Minimum price | 20 rupees |
| Maximum price | 50 rupees |
| Available dishes | Pudi-vegetable, Rajma-rice, chickpeas, etc. |
| Pilot project | 64 stations |
| Duration | Initially 6 months |
| Speciality | Clean and nutritious food |
Cheap food price and menu
Under this new scheme, various types of dishes will be made available to passengers at a very low price. Let’s see what will be available at what price:
Economy mile of 20 rupees
- 7 Pudi
- Potato vegetable
- Behaviour
This mile will be made available to passengers for just Rs 20. This includes nutritious and stomach filled food that will provide energy during a long journey.
50 rupees snack miles
- Ram-rice or chickpeas
- A dish in South Asian cuisine made of rice and lentils
- Kulche
- Chole-Bhature
- Pav Bhaji
- Masala dosa
Any one of this miles will be available for 50 grams of 50 grams. This option is suitable for travelers who want to taste diverse dishes by spending a little more.
Implementation and expansion of the scheme
IRCTC Economy Meals Scheme will be implemented in a phased manner:
- Pilot Project: Initially, the scheme will be launched for 6 months at 64 select railway stations.
- Station of stalls: These stalls will be put in front of general coaches so that passengers do not have to go far to buy food.
- Zone-War expansion:
- East Zone: 29 stations
- North Zone: 10 Station
- South Central Zone: 3 Station
- South Zone: 9 Station
- Future expansion: After the success of the pilot project, the scheme will also be implemented at other railway stations.
Benefits and importance of scheme
IRCTC Economy Meals Scheme is beneficial for passengers in many ways:
- Affordable food: Passengers of low income groups will get nutritious food cheaply.
- Cleanliness: Food prepared by IRCTC will follow hygiene standards.
- Saving time: Passengers will save time due to food available at the station itself.
- Diversity: Different types of dishes will be available which will meet different tastes and choices.
- Improvement in travel experience: The availability of cheap and good food will improve travel experience.
Other food services facilities
In addition to IRCTC Economy Meals, Railways also provides some other food service facilities for passengers:
Online food ordering
IRCTC has also launched the facility of online food ordering for passengers. According to this:
- Passengers can order food through WhatsApp.
- Food is delivered depending on the PNR number.
- This feature reduces food anxiety during the journey.
Free food in special trains
Under certain circumstances, Railways also provides free food:
- In premium trains like Duronto, Shatabdi and Rajdhani.
- 2 hours or more delay of the train.
- Passengers can choose full meal, breakfast or lunch.
Planning effect and future
IRCTC Economy Meals Scheme is likely to have widespread impact on railway passengers and railway services:
- Passenger satisfaction: The availability of cheap and quality food will increase the satisfaction of passengers.
- Improvement in hygiene: IRCTC controlled food will reduce the sale of unwavering food on the platform.
- Economic benefits: Small businessmen will get employment opportunities that will run these stalls.
- Quality of travel: The availability of cheap food will improve the overall experience of travel.
- Future expansion: When successful, this scheme can be applied in more stations and trains.
Challenges and solutions
Although this plan seems very beneficial, there may be some challenges in its implementation:
- Quality Control: Ensuring quality food at such a low price.
- Solution: Regular inspection and implementing strict quality criteria.
- Balance of demand and supply: Ensuring availability of adequate food in congested time.
- Solution: forecast demand using data analysis.
- Maintaining cleanliness: Maintaining cleanliness while preparing food on a large scale.
- Solution: Regular training and hygiene audit to employees.
- Reducing waste: Reducing food wastage during low demand.
- Solution: Use of Real-Time Inventory Management System.
Disclaimer
This article has been written with the aim of providing information about IRCTC Economy Meals Scheme. Although the scheme has been announced by the Railways, the current status and detailed description of its implementation may change. Passengers are advised to contact the official IRCTC website or railway officials for the latest information. This scheme is currently being launched as a pilot project and changes can be made on the basis of its results.
