New Delhi, 22/10:There is a good news for railway passengers. Actually, regular catering service in trains can start soon. Railway’s pantry cars have been deserted for the last 18 months and its catering service has been stopped. Then only packed food from private vendors is being supplied to the passengers. But now there are indications that the railway mine-pass service can once again be restored like pre-Kovid.
5 reasons that can restart railway catering service
1. Things are getting normal after Kovid
Train services were also stopped last year due to the knockout and lockdown of the Kovid epidemic. After that, all the services of the railways have been gradually restored and almost all its 1700 mail-express trains have returned on track. But the catering service has not been started in these trains yet. More than 100 crore vaccine doses across the country have also raised hopes for this.
2. Private vendors are charging higher prices
At present, pre-cooked food is being served from private vendors in the railways. But the cost of such food packets is being charged a lot. Railways are getting complaints about this continuously. According to sources, the ministry has asked to seriously consider this. For this, reinstating the catering service is a better option.
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3. IRCTC is continuously demanding
IRCTC, which provides mine-pass service in the Railways, has repeatedly reiterated the demand that as the situation is returning to normal after Kovid, the catering service should also be restored. The catering service in Railways comes under IRCTC. Catering is the core function of IRCTC. According to sources, IRCTC has also expressed concern that the closure of food and drink will adversely affect the sentiment of the stock market and this will affect its share value. The parent company of IRCTC, Railways and the Ministry of Railways has a bigger stake in it. Railways will also have to consider resuming the catering service to avoid this loss.
4. PAC is doing frequent inspections
Meanwhile, the Passenger Amnesty Committee of the Railways has visited many railway stations and has also taken feedback from passengers and railway workers. According to sources, the committee has also taken feedback from railway workers and passengers. People have demanded restoration of catering service and reintroduction of linen-blanket in trains. According to sources, the committee can also give its suggestion on blanket-linen in trains before winter.
5.Catering service provides employment to lakhs
The employment of lakhs of people has also been affected due to the closure of the catering service. According to an estimate, about 5 lakh people are directly and indirectly connected with it. Resumption of the catering service will bring great relief to the people and families associated with it. After the outbreak of Kovid, the situation returning to normal, the resumption of the catering service will also send a positive message.