Even if one has not opted for the food while booking the ticket for Vande Bharat trains, the option of purchasing cooked food items will now be provided to such passengers in the train after paying the relevant charges.
Due to increasing number of complaints regarding catering services, Ministry of Railways Friday allowed Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the catering vendor of Vande Bharat trains, to begin the sale of cooked meal to non-optee passengers in Vande Bharat Trains.
After the resumption of food services in trains post-pandemic, the non-optee passengers — or those who did not opt for food during ticket booking — were only being provided ready-to-eat meal options only. While this catering rule has been changed for Vande Bharat trains, it will remain same for other mail/express trains.
“In order to provide options, choice of services and adequate catering facilities to current booking & non-optee passengers in Vande Bharat trains, sale and service of food items in Vande Bharat trains may be resumed by IRCTC,” the Ministry’s letter to the Chairman and Managing Director of IRCTC said.
“For current booking and non-optee passengers, the option of cooked meal may also be resumed (if available), which would be in addition to customized Ready to Eat (RTE) meal options,” reads the letter further. Officials said there will be no change in the price of food and it will be same as of optee passengers.
“In 2021, when the food services were resumed in the trains after the Covid-19 pandemic, an option was provided that passengers can opt out for the meal and they will not have to pay food charges. For such passengers, Ready to Eat meals such as Maggie, Poha, chips etc. was available. But in the last few months, we have received many complaints from Vande Bharat trains, where non-optee passengers desired for the cooked meal and they could not get it because of existing rules,” said a senior official of Ministry of Railways.
He further said, “Taking note of such feedback, we have now created a provision that the catering vendor, which is IRCTC in Vande Bharat Trains, can provide cooked food to the non-optee passengers also. Apart from non-optee passengers, optee passengers also demand food for second time. For other trains, the existing catering rules will remain same.”
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“All necessary measures must be put in place by IRCTC to ensure service of good quality and hygienic food to passengers in trains. Further, to avoid any inconvenience to passengers, IRCTC should ensure sale through trolleys within the regulated timings and no vending will be allowed after 2100 hrs or dinner service, whichever is earlier,” said the Railway Board in its letter to the IRCTC.
