Indian Railways Revolutionizes Onboard Dining: Hygienic Meals, Transparent Pricing, and Regional Delicacies for Passengers
Indian Railways (IR) has taken significant steps to ensure that passengers enjoy hygienic and high-quality meals during their journeys. With a focus on transparency, safety, and customer satisfaction, these measures aim to elevate the onboard dining experience while adhering to strict food safety standards.
Key Measures to Ensure Food Quality
- Modern Base Kitchens and Monitoring:
- Meals are prepared in designated modernized base kitchens equipped with CCTV cameras for enhanced oversight.
- Deployment of Food Safety Supervisors ensures hygienic food preparation and adherence to food safety norms.
- Standardized Ingredients:
- Use of branded and popular raw materials like cooking oil, rice, atta, dairy products, and spices to maintain consistency and quality.
- Technological Innovations:
- QR codes on food packets allow passengers to access details such as the kitchen of origin and packaging date.
- Regular Inspections and Certifications:
- Frequent inspections, deep cleaning, and pest control in base kitchens and pantry cars.
- Mandatory FSSAI certification for all catering units, with regular food sampling as part of quality control measures.
- Third-party audits and customer satisfaction surveys to maintain high standards.
- Diverse Menu Options:
- Introduction of regional cuisines, seasonal delicacies, and special dietary items such as diabetic food, baby food, and millet-based health options.
- Catering Staff Training:
- Regular training programs focus on communication, customer service, personal grooming, and hygiene for catering staff.
Transparent Pricing for Catering Services
To ensure passengers are well-informed about food prices, Indian Railways enforces a pre-notified tariff for all catering items. Awareness initiatives include:
- Display of menu cards and tariff details by waiters.
- SMS and email notifications to passengers.
- Regular inspections and special drives by Railway and IRCTC officials to ensure compliance with pricing regulations.
Commitment to Passenger Satisfaction
Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a recent written reply in the Lok Sabha, highlighted the commitment of Indian Railways to delivering safe, hygienic, and affordable food. Regular and surprise inspections, third-party audits, and customer feedback surveys are central to maintaining and improving service quality.
With these robust measures in place, Indian Railways reaffirms its dedication to providing a superior travel experience, catering to the diverse tastes and preferences of millions of passengers across the country.
