A meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Railways was held in New Delhi, chaired by Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. The meeting covered two topics: Catering Services on Indian Railways and Station Development on Indian Railways under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Several Members of Parliament attended the meeting.
Regarding catering services on Indian Railways, it was highlighted that approximately 1.8 crore passengers travel daily on Indian Railways, and efforts are being made to ensure the provision and availability of adequate catering facilities on trains and stations. Structural reforms have been initiated to bring about a paradigm shift in the catering business after conducting an in-depth analysis of catering services. Catering services are provided through static units or mobile units. There are pantry cars/mini pantries on 473 pairs of trains, and train side vending facilities on 706 pairs of trains. Additionally, Indian Railways has 9,342 minor and 582 major static units, including Jan Aahaar outlets, Food Plazas, and Refreshment Rooms. The catering policy aims to provide quality food by unbundling catering services and giving IRCTC the flexibility to customize menus to include regional cuisine and preferences of different passenger groups. The e-catering scheme and cashless transaction facilities have been introduced, and regular inspections and third-party audits ensure quality and service standards.
On station development, it was mentioned that the modernization and upgradation of stations is an ongoing process. Three stations have been redeveloped/modernized so far, namely Rani Kamlapati in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhinagar in Gujarat, and Sir M. Visvesvaraya Railway Station in Karnataka. Based on the experience gained from these stations, the Amrit Bharat Station scheme has been launched for the development of stations with a long-term approach. The scheme involves preparing master plans and implementing them in phases to enhance station amenities, accessibility, cleanliness, passenger information systems, and more. It also focuses on integrating the station with the city, providing facilities for differently-abled individuals, adopting sustainable solutions, and creating city centers at stations. The scheme aims to upgrade/modernize 1,275 stations across Indian Railways.
During the meeting, Members of Parliament provided valuable suggestions on both subjects. The Minister of Railways expressed gratitude for their inputs, and the meeting concluded.