The Indian Railways is considering providing free food to infants and children below five years in Rajdhani trains. Also, the ministry is contemplating provision for a free light lunch or dinner in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains, in case they run late.

These are some of the proposals which a newly constituted panel would look at, in addition to fixing the menu and tariff of standard meals served in Rajdhani, Shatabdi, mail and express trains.

Besides studying the present menus and tariffs, the committee would point out the shortcomings and suggest scope for improvement, including adoption of entirely new menus and tariffs. Also, the possibilities of introducing low-cost janta meals and free packaged potable water would be explored.

Another key component of the study would be to explore the regional variation in culinary trends, tastes and recipes. Similarly, the Railways is also considering a parallel diet menu for diabetics.

Since only the mobile catering units of Railways charge Service Tax, Railways is also mulling a separate tariff for mobile and static units.