If the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has its way, soon passengers will be able to place meal orders before boarding long distance trains. The service, to be introduced initially in trains to and from the metros, can be availed through the toll-free number of 139, with passengers being given the option to choose from a menu ranging from Indian to Chinese and Continental.

“In an attempt to minimise complaints from the passengers, the IRCTC has submitted this unique proposal to the Railway board. Once this is implemented, it is expected to bring a revolutionary change in catering services on trains across the country,” said Group General Manager (Catering), North Zone, Aneet Dulat.

Taking a cue from her predecessor, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken all possible measures to appease the taste buds of a diverse population. She has not only customised menus by adding the popular local delicacies, including machher-jhol and sandesh for passengers travelling to West Bengal, dhokla and khaman on Mumbai trains, and avial for Southern trains, but also given a wider variety for the passengers to choose from. The new menu, with added options, has come into effect from the first week of June.

It was Mamata who had proposed a special wing for the catering through the IRCTC in the 2000 railway budget.

Dulat said that the IRCTC is also considering a proposal of introducing detailed cyclic menu in all trains to cut monotony for frequent travelers.

All this comes at a price though. Food prices on the Rajdhanis and Shatabdis, which has not changed over the last one decade, could soon be revised. Modernisation of base kitchens at important railway stations is also under process.