Kochi: In a major initiative, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) would set up its own ‘Base Kitchens’ in all major stations, including Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, on the models of airlines to enhance food quality and for providing more food choices to commuters aboard trains. The move is part of a new catering policy yet to be finalised to stop pantry cars in trains and gradually switch over to the system. As part of this, ‘Base Kitchens’ will be set up at major stations across the country.
A team of senior IRCTC officials on Monday visited the Ernakulam South station as part of identifying the space for setting up the ‘Base Kitchen.’ “The ‘Base Kitchens’ will be similar to the services in airlines. The foods will be prepared and packed in highly hygienic environment and served directly in trains. Initially we’ll focus on trains like ‘Rajdhani’ and extend the services to others in a phased manner,” sources said. Currently, caterers are appointed by floating tenders for operating pantry cars, mostly by the IRCTC and also the railways.
However, there are several complaints of poor quality food being served, especially in long haul trains. Meanwhile, tenders for setting up airport-like executive lounges at three stations in the division, Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Calicut, have been floated and the work on them will be started in three months. The facilities include food, toilets and urinals, wash and change, recliners, TV, Wi-Fi, soft beverages, train information display and announcement among others.
