According to the Ministry of Railways, IRCTC will also ensure that the quality of food and service is maintained, and safeguards will be put in place to avoid undue changes in quality and the use of inferior brands.
The Ministry of Railways has permitted the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to customize its train food menu. These new menus will cater to regional and seasonal tastes. The menu for prepaid trains where catering charges are included in the passenger fare will be decided by IRCTC, while IRCTC will determine the menu for budget segment items in other mail and express trains. The IRCTC will also provide an a la carte menu.
These new menus will include regional cuisine and preferences, seasonal delicacies, festival requirements, and food for specific groups, such as diabetic food, baby food, and healthy food options.
According to the ministry, the menu in prepaid trains will be decided by IRCTC within the tariff that has already been notified. A-la-carte meals and branded food items on MRP will be permitted on these trains. The IRCTC will determine the menu and tariff for a-la-carte meals.
Janta's menu and pricing will remain unchanged.
The ministry also stated that IRCTC would ensure that the quality and standard of food and service are maintained, and safeguards will be put in place to prevent undue changes in quality, the use of inferior brands, and so on.
The menu should be proportionate to the tariff, and menus would be pre-notified to passengers and advised to the Railways before implementation.