With serious complaints of food quality served onboard, the Indian railways is all set to launch a SMS based multiple catering options to the passengers from September 25. A senior railway official said that as part of e-catering service initiative, few trains will start the facility being done in coordination with the IRCTC.
“A passenger will get response from a dedicated team after sending the SMS mentioning his PNR number. He would then receive a call after an online verification of the PNR status and berth position in the particular train seeking details of food order. Payments will be made after the delivery,” said the official.
While SMS-based service is being launched, Railways is also finalising a plan to start online order system where a passenger can also book his food online.Arrangements have been made with some reputed food chains and eating joints for providing food through SMS-based orders on trains, the official said, adding “the online order system will also be launched shortly.”
Recently, Railways had started providing ready-to-eat packaged food in certain trains on a trial basis offering variety of choices to passengers. The ready-to-eat food service got a good response and now we are planning to formulate a policy on it by roping in more players, the official said.
Plagued with complaints, Railways has stepped up efforts to improve catering services on trains. “Our aim is to provide multiple choices to passengers. While the existing service of getting food from pantry cars will continue, the SMS-based service is also being offered to passengers,” the official said.