23 June,2009 09:50 AM IST | | PTI
Train passengers may soon relish a rice-fish curry thali or vegetable biryani at major stations with the Railways mulling to introduce combo meals as part of its drive to make available quality food at affordable prices.
Termed 'combo meals', food items like rice and fish curry, 'chhole bhature', vegetable biryani and paratha omlette are being finalised to be made available at dedicated stalls in major stations.
"The prices have been tentatively fixed at Rs 20 per plate," said a source in the Railway ministry, adding a final decision on the rates will be taken shortly.
Railways is flooded with complaints about the absence of affordable food at railway premises besides poor quality of the food available in trains and stations.
There will be dedicated stalls bearing signboards displaying food items and tariff prominently at platforms for passengers, sources said.
Meanwhile, IRCTC has submitted a proposal to the Railway Board to change the catering policy.
The proposed new railway catering policy aims at attracting branded players like Haldiram, Bikanerwala, Nirula's and others to participate in bidding for railway catering contracts.
The current policy does not favour branded players to participate in the bidding for railway catering job. Unless the policy is changed, no branded players would be interested in railway catering, sources in the ministry said.
There are about 30 contractors involved in railway catering service for the last 20 years. The proposed policy envisages the bidders to have quality control system, regular staff, computer accounting system, a minimum number of outlets in cities and a website among other conditions.
Railways has already decided to serve 'poori sabzi' as 'janata meal' at Rs 10 a packet at different stations.
