New Delhi: The Indian Railways has made the decision to enhance the travel experience of general coach passengers by offering affordable meals and packaged water specifically catered to them. According to an order issued by the Railway Board, counters serving these meals will be placed on platforms near the general coaches. These meals have been categorized into two types. Type one consists of seven ‘pooris’ with dry ‘aaloo’ and pickle, available at the price of Rs 20. Type two meals, costing Rs 50, offer passengers a variety of South Indian dishes such as rice, rajma, chhole, khichdi kulche, bhature, pao- bhaji, and masala dosa.
The Railway Board has instructed the relevant officials to set up counters on platforms near GS coaches to provide economical meals and affordable packaged drinking water to passengers. GS coaches refer to second-class unreserved coaches, commonly found in all trains, including mail/express trains. These coaches usually have a minimum of two GS coaches, one near the locomotive and one at the end of the train. Any passenger with a general/unreserved ticket purchased from the counter can travel in these compartments. The meals will be supplied from the kitchen units such as Refreshment Rooms (RRs) and Jan Ahaars (JAs) of IRCTC, as stated in the order.
The Railway Board has instructed the relevant officials to set up counters on platforms near GS coaches to provide economical meals and affordable packaged drinking water to passengers. GS coaches refer to second-class unreserved coaches, commonly found in all trains, including mail/express trains. These coaches usually have a minimum of two GS coaches, one near the locomotive and one at the end of the train. Any passenger with a general/unreserved ticket purchased from the counter can travel in these compartments. The meals will be supplied from the kitchen units such as Refreshment Rooms (RRs) and Jan Ahaars (JAs) of IRCTC, as stated in the order.
Considering its popularity, Biryani will be provided as a standard meal variety, with specific tariff and weight guidelines as follows:
For passengers traveling on Mail/Express trains, the present cost of the Janta Meal (consisting of 7 Pooris – 175g, Dry Aloo Curry – 150g, with pickle) will remain unchanged at Rs 20. IRCTC will continue to make the Janta Meal available for sale onboard trains.
The railway also plans to introduce a ‘Snack Meal’ variety with regional items, cuisine, or flavors. The ‘Snack Meal’ will be a portion of 350 grams and available at a tariff of Rs 50 (inclusive of GST). The menu and accompanying side dishes like Raita, pickle, salad, or papad will be decided and announced by IRCTC.
The location of these counters will be determined by railway zones to ensure their alignment with the GS coaches on platforms. This provision of extended service counters on platforms is being implemented on an experimental basis for a period of six months.
Currently, this provision has been implemented at 51 stations and will be available at 13 more stations starting from Thursday. Efforts are underway to provide 200 ml drinking water glasses at these counters to further enhance passenger convenience in these often-overcrowded coaches.
