A pilot project has been launched in the Konkan region
DELHI: Passengers can now look forward to enjoying home-cooked local food supplied by self-help groups during their train journey.
According to Railways, a pilot project has been launched in the Konkan region of Maharashtra for supply of local cuisine by SHGs to train travellers, reports PTI.
“We have entered into a partnership with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development ( NABARD) to facilitate SHGs of farmers to supply local meals to train passengers,” Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), A K Manocha said.
As per the arrangement, two stations in the Konkan region – Kudal and Sawantwadi – have been identified for the pilot project.
Passengers will have to order the meal online through IRCTC website during their journey.
IRCTC will rope in SHGs for supply of home-cooked local meals on trains in other stations as well, he said.
The pilot project is part of the railway budget 2016-17 announcement by Minister Suresh Prabhu to explore the possibility of giving the choice of local cuisine to passengers.
Railways has launched the e-catering facility offering passengers options to book their meals online instead of depending on food supplied by contractors or pantry cars.