Ministry of Railways Holds Meeting to Drive Catering Reforms and Station Upgrades
1275 Railway Stations to be taken up for upgradation/modernization under Amrit Bharat Station scheme
The Ministry of Railways recently conducted a significant meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament in New Delhi, focusing on two crucial topics: Catering Services on Indian Railways and Station Development under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Chaired by Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, the meeting witnessed the participation of several Members of Parliament.
Catering Services on Indian Railways:
During the meeting, it was highlighted that the Indian Railways caters to approximately 1.8 Crore passengers daily. The ministry expressed its commitment to ensuring the provision of adequate catering facilities on trains and at stations. In recent years, the Railways has conducted a comprehensive analysis of catering services and initiated structural reforms aimed at revolutionizing the catering business.
Catering services are provided to passengers through either static or mobile units. Indian Railways operates 473 pairs of trains with pantry cars/mini pantries and 706 pairs of trains with train-side vending facilities. Additionally, there are 9342 minor and 582 major static units, including outlets such as Jan Aahaars, Food Plazas, and Refreshment Rooms. To enhance the quality of food provided, the Ministry has implemented a catering policy that emphasizes unbundling catering services, creating a clear distinction between food preparation and distribution. IRCTC, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, has been granted the flexibility to customize menus to include regional cuisine, seasonal delicacies, and cater to various passenger preferences. The introduction of the e-catering scheme has further improved the dining experience for rail passengers. Both mobile and static catering units offer cashless transaction facilities, ensuring convenience and efficiency. To maintain service standards, third-party audits and regular surprise inspections are conducted.
Station Development on Indian Railways:
The meeting also addressed the ongoing process of upgrading and modernizing railway stations. Notably, three stations—Rani Kamlapati in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhinagar in Gujarat, and Sir M. Visvesvaraya Railway Station in Karnataka—have already undergone successful redevelopment and modernization.
Building on the experience gained from these projects, the Ministry launched the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which aims to systematically develop stations across the Indian Railways network. This comprehensive scheme involves the creation and implementation of master plans to improve various station amenities. The enhancements encompass better station access, improved circulating areas, upgraded waiting halls, clean and well-equipped washrooms, necessary lift and escalator installations, enhanced cleanliness, provision of free Wi-Fi, local product kiosks through initiatives like ‘One Station One Product,’ advanced passenger information systems, executive lounges, designated spaces for business meetings, appealing landscaping, and more, catering to the specific needs of each station.
Furthermore, the scheme focuses on integrating the station with the surrounding city, promoting multimodal connectivity, providing amenities for differently-abled individuals, adopting sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, implementing advanced track systems, creating appealing ‘Roof Plazas’ where necessary, considering phasing and feasibility, and envisioning the development of city centers at stations in the long term. The ambitious plan aims to upgrade and modernize 1275 stations across the Indian Railways network.
Conclusion:
The Ministry of Railways’ Consultative Committee meeting witnessed valuable inputs from Members of Parliament on the subjects of catering services and station development. The Railways’ commitment to improving the overall passenger experience is evident through its implementation of structural reforms in catering services and its continuous efforts to upgrade and modernize stations. With the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Indian Railways is poised to bring about significant transformations in station amenities and overall travel experiences for millions of passengers.
