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Get Biryani and Chicken curry on trains from next year, pay more for food
A circular by the national transporter said the food-rate hike was done after six years for Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto and after 7 years for Mail/Express trains on the recommendation of a committee tasked with the revision. It added that “rational pricing” was required to ensure “quality of meals”.
Chicken Curry, Biryani and a taste of the local delicacy are some of the additional food options train travellers will have from the end of March, next year, when revised food menu and prices for the premium, express and mail trains come into effect.
The revision will lead to a 3 % to 9% fare hike for premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto for those opting for on board catering; while mail and express passengers will have to shell out more for the food they order on train.
Passengers will get a flavour of the regional cuisine, packaged as ‘snack meal’, for Rs. 50 and Biryani and Chicken Curry as standard meal options. Veg, Egg and Chicken Biryani will be priced Rs. 80, ₹90 and ₹110 respectively.
In first class AC compartments, tea will cost ₹35, up by ₹6, breakfast ₹140, up by ₹7, lunch and dinner ₹245, up by ₹15.
In second class AC, third class AC and chair car, tea will cost ₹20, up by ₹5, breakfast ₹105, up by ₹8, lunch and dinner ₹185, up by ₹10.
Sale of a-la-carte meals on Mail/Express trains will be discontinued to prevent overcharging, said railways.
A circular by the national transporter said the food-rate hike was done after six years for Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto and after 7 years for Mail/Express trains on the recommendation of a committee tasked with the revision. It added that “rational pricing” was required to ensure “quality of meals”.
Catering services in the Indian Railways are provided either as pre-paid services on Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains, where passengers opting for on-board catering pay for it along the ticket fare in advance, or as post –paid services on other Mail/Express trains, where food is made available on payment at the spot.
The railways said it also plans to introduce biodegradable packaging material and QR coding of the meals.
