Pune: The railway passengers from Pune travelling in Shatabdi, Duronto and other mail/express trains will have to pay more to buy tea, breakfast and meals during their journey as the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has revised its food rates on Thursday.
IRCTC officials said that the revised rates will be put into effect from November 18. The trains include Pune-Secunderabad Shatabdi Express, Pune-Howrah and Pune-Ahmedabad Duronto Express, Pune-Jammu Tavi Jhelum Express, Pune-Danapur Superfast Express, Pune-Gorakhpur Express and Azad Hind Express.
However, the Railways has received several complaints about the quality of the food in the trains.
The railway passengers’ group and passengers are hoping that IRCTC will improve the food quality.
As per a circular issued by IRCTC, there have been steep hikes in the food prices in air-conditioned (AC) coaches.
As per the circular, morning tea will now cost Rs 35 (earlier price Rs 15) in the first AC and Executive Chair Car coaches and Rs 20 (earlier price Rs 10) in the AC 2, AC 3 and Chair Car coaches.
The rate for morning tea will be Rs 15 (earlier Rs 10) in the sleeper class of Duronto trains.
The price of evening tea, which includes snacks, cookies and potful tea, has also been revised to Rs 140 from the current rate of Rs 75 for the 1st Class and Executive Cars.
This is the first time that IRCTC has revised the food charges for express trains since 2012 and for Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains since 2013. The new meal charges are not applicable for Gatimaan Express, Tejas Express trains and Vande Bharat Express trains.
Railway Pravasi Group President Harsha Shah said that passengers will not mind the increased cost of food and beverages if the quality also sees some improvement.
“The quality of the food should also improve with the increased costs. Last year, the CAG had given a report passing strictures about bad quality food. Since 2013, the rates had remained unchanged. Now that the IRCTC has increased the price, it is a must that the quality should improve. Passengers expect them to serve freshly prepared, hygienic and good quality food,” said Shah.
