New Delhi: The Indian Railways is planning to add 110 pantry cars to special trains, for the benefit of passengers. While superfast train passengers have the benefit of having food on board with pantry cars, special train passngers do not have this luxury.
The following trains have pantry cars as of date:
Vande Bharat Express
Shatabdi
Rajdhani
Tejas Express
Special trains are started by the Indian Railways ahead of key festivals such as Rakhi, Diwali, and Holi and even ahead of summer vacations in anticipation of major passenger footfall.
Pantry cars in these trains will also ensure passenger safety and emphasise health. In the absence of pantry cars, passengers have no choice but to purchase food from non-certified vendors.
The Indian Railways is likely to roll out 110 pantry cars in 2 tranches with the first 55 cars expected to be rolled out in FY25, and the remaining pantry cars by FY26, said Northern Railways PRO Deepak Kumar in an interview. Since it is not possible to add pantry cars to every special train, vendor carts are set up near such trains to ensure access to certified food for passengers, News18 reported, citing Kumar.
What is the use of pantry cars in trains?
Indian Railways attaches pantry cars to trains to ensure that the food available on board is of a minimum certified quality. Unofficial food vendors often overcharge and do not necessarily serve good quality food.
Moreover, IRCTC e-catering, though available on most routes has its challenges in terms of reach and timing. To be sure, railway food is not cooked in pantry cars. Food is cooked at base kitchens operated by contractors and stored and served via pantry cars on specific trains.
While pantry cars are easily accessible on trains, passengers are not allowed inside. Passengers may reach the pantry door and request food or services from the pantry car executive who is most likely to serve food at the passenger’s seat.
Pantry cars for special trains: The Indian Railways plans to roll out nearly 110 pantry cars for special train passengers. Here’s why. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
