As a measure to improve catering services on trains, IRCTC will now have the flexibility to customise the menu. This will ensure the inclusion of regional cuisines, seasonal delicacies, requirements during festivals and food items according to the preferences of different groups of passengers. This will make available to passengers food such as diabetic food, baby food and health food options, including millet-based local products, etc.
For prepaid trains in which catering charges are included in the passenger fare, the menu will be decided by IRCTC within the tariff already notified. For other mail/express trains, the menu of budget segment items like standard meals will be decided by IRCTC within the fixed tariff already notified.
Furthermore, the menu and tariff of Janta Meals will remain unchanged. In addition, the sale of à la carte meals and branded food items with MRP will also be permitted on these prepaid trains.
Due to this change in the catering policy of the Ministry of Railways, regional cuisines of India will get representation in the trains. So that the rail passengers can enjoy the taste of various types of food according to their preference.