A File Photo of India’s Premier Train, Rajdhani Express
Hardeep Singh Bedi
NEW DELHI: India’s Railways Minister Sadanand Gowda has emphasised to improve the quality, hygiene of on-board catering services in the Rail Budget 2014-15. He has announced several futuristic steps in this direction, but he needs to keep immediate check on the quality of current on-board catering services in Indian Railways, especially the Rajdhani Express trains, which are considered jewels of Indian Railways.
One important aspect of Rajdhani Express is that passengers are provided meals during the journey, however, it’s not complementary and its cost is included in the fare.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) has been incorporated as the marketing wing of Indian passenger and hospitality business and to provide a single window service to rail users. But, it seems it is in deep slumber.
There was a time when the quality of Rajdhani Express food was excellent but over the time its quality has deteriorated. It has become a bane instead of boon for the passengers.
This scribe experienced the bad taste of Rajdhani food during a journey from Howrah to New Delhi in train number 12301 on July 5, 2014. The dinner that was being served to the passengers resembled and tasted like third-grade roadside dhaba (motel) food. Many passengers didn’t eat the whole dinner and left it. Next morning; this scribe, one Mr Dinesh Chandra Singh, and SK Jha registered their complaint in complaint form. It needs to be watched what action will be taken against the catering contractor?
The thrust on profits is at its acme in the Railways and that is why the passenger amenities have become casualties.
For example, the passengers of July 5, 2014 12301 Rajdhani Express were also not provided with the morning newspapers. It’s not only the passengers whose interests are being encroached but the waiters of Rajdhani Express have their own grievances against catering contractor who, according to them, don’t even pay them the minimum wages meant for daily labourers.