Express News Service By

NEW DELHI: Seeking to explore the possibility of making mandatory catering services optional on trains, the Railway Ministry has decided to put it on trial on four pairs -- two Rajdhanis and two Shatabdis — on a pilot basis for 45 days starting June 15.

The trial, beginning June 15, is to be conducted to ascertain the cuisine choices of travelling passengers and provide them with local food choices.

The four trains where such a trial is to be conducted are Nizamuddin-Mumbai Central (12953-12954) August Kranti Rajdhani; New Delhi-Patna Rajdhani (12309-12310); Pune-Secunderabad Shatabdi Express (12025-26); and Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express (12277-12278).

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, in his 2016-17 budget speech, had announced that trials would be conducted to explore the possibility of making mandatory catering services optional on trains.

During the trial, catering services will be included by default. However, passengers have to specifically ‘opt out’ from the mandatory food option, and catering charges will be excluded from the ticket fare. Also, passengers will not be allowed to change their options at any point of time once they exercise such an option at the time of booking their tickets.

“Such a measure will not inconvenience travelling passengers in any manner as catering is being made only optional. On the contrary, it will offer expanded cuisine choices to them and savour local delicacies,” said A K Manocha, CMD, IRCTC.

Based on the feedbacks from passengers, the Railway Ministry will consider introducing such a facility in other trains.

“IRCTC will ensure provision of e-catering facility enroute stations of these four trains so that local cuisines are available to the travelling passengers. Also, those showing preference for e-catering will not have to pay for mandatory catering charges as part of their total ticket fare,” he added.

IRCTC handles pantry in some Durontos, Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Gatimaan Express and provides e-catering facility in over 1,500 non-pantry car trains.