East Coast Railway to provide economy meals at 9 important stations in summer

Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railway (ECoR) will provide economy meals to passengers at nine important railway stations under its jurisdiction including Khurda Road, Sambalpur, Titilagarh, Balangir, Kantabanji, Palasa, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, an ECoR source said today.

The meals at economical prices for travelers are to be provided during the summer season. The initiative was undertaken to ensure easy access. These meals will be available at counters conveniently located near General Second Class (GS) coaches on platforms.

The ECoR along with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is stepping up to serve passengers, particularly those in unreserved coaches, with a new initiative offering hygienic meals and snacks at affordable prices, a railway spokesperson expressed.

This program anticipates a surge in passenger traffic during summer. “ECoR recognises the challenges faced by those traveling in unreserved compartments. They may not always have access to convenient and budget-friendly meal options,” the spokesperson stated.

The initiative offers a two-pronged approach:

• Economy Meals: Priced at a pocket-friendly Rs 20/-, these meals provide a satisfying and affordable option for passengers on the go.
• Snack Meals: For those seeking a lighter bite, Rs 50/- snack meals are also available.

Worth mentioning, this service was successfully piloted at about 51 stations last year. Building on that success, Indian Railways has significantly expanded the program, with counters now operational at over 100 stations and nearly 150 counters in total across the country. The initiative is slated for further growth, encompassing even more stations in the days ahead.