RailEnquiry

PATNA: Concerned at poor quality of meals served in the New Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani Express (12240) on Friday night which caused illness to a few passengers, including an MP from Jharkhand, the railways has decided to chalk out a comprehensive plan to keep a tab on quality of food served to train passengers. According to a Railway Board official, the railways took over charge of catering from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) under the new catering policy introduced in the railways sometime back. Efforts are being made to provide quality meals and breakfast on all trains, including premier ones like Rajdhani Express, he said.Expressing shock over the Friday incident, a senior official of the Board said that an internal inquiry is being held into the matter. "Appropriate action would be taken after completion of the inquiry," he said. According to him, the railways has directed each of its zones to set up a cell at its respective headquarter for strict monitoring of meals and other items supplied to passengers on trains and railway platforms. Besides, the railways has asked its officials belonging to commercial wing to print price of each item on the meal packets so that passengers do not face any hassles while paying for them. The railways has warned pantry car staff not to charge extra money from passengers, a Board official said, adding issuing of bill to passengers is a must now.According to an East Central Railway (ECR) official, the railways has set up a team of commercial inspectors under each division of the zone to carry out surprise check of food quality. The ECR will provide initial training to these inspectors at Hajipur-based Hotel Management and Catering Institution.These inspectors would be authorized to check premier trains like Rajdhani Express and Sampoorna Kranti Express to ensure supply of quality food to passengers. About 80 selected commercial inspectors have been trained so far at Hajipur, he said.Medical fitness of each staff of the pantry car has now become mandatory for serving meals to passengers. Maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene has been attached extra importance. The railways is now insisting on maintaining quality, quantity and price (QQP) since it took over charge of catering from the IRCTC, a Board official said.