Railway food outlets get thumbs-up

Bengaluru, Nov. 20: Jan Ahar outlets which opened at the City Railway Station about a month ago are an experiment in supplying clean and wholesome food to train passengers at an affordable price. Run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on platforms 7 and 8, they are a pleasant change from the usual crowded and unhygienic restaurants that railway passengers often have to depend on.

The new outlets, equipped with microwaves, and food and beverage vending machines, promise to make dining at the railway station an enjoyable experience. They serve idli-vada, lemon rice, and even full fledged meals for not more than Rs 20. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, IRCTC chief regional manager, South Western Zone, S. Gagarin said, the two restaurants were still operating on an experimental basis and would be officially inaugurated only after gauging the response of passengers to them. IRCTC officials are in talks with railway officials to set up more of these outlets at the Yeshwanthapur and Mysore railway stations. “All the major stations will eventually have these restaurants,” Mr. Gagarin added. Both the Jan Ahar and Kumsum food outlets at the City Railway Station cater to 3 lakh passengers.