Daisy
Patna : Though it has changed catering policy putting more stress on quality of food, an ambitious plan of railways to replace all existing pantry cars with air conditioned ( AC ) pantry cars phasewise is still hanging in balance . The condition of pantry cars in most of the trains continues to be deplorable.
According to a Railway Board official , a proposal to this effect has been pending with the Board. The AC pantry cars are the need of the hour for serving quality food to the passengers as per their choice, he said adding the Board is considering all aspects of the proposed plan.
According to sources, railways had earlier announced to introduce AC pantry cars in all mail and express trains replacing old and damaged pantry cars on the pattern of Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express pantry cars. About 400 odd pantry cars are in service these days across the country. During the recent survey carried out by railways it was found that about 30 per cent of pantry cars were in deplorable condition , sources said adding use of boilers in pantry cars normally affects the stored food stuff and its quality.
A Board official said that railways has already decided to do away with LPG cylinder system in pantry cars . Cases of unnatural fire were reported in the past in these conventional pantry cars hence railways has decided to introduce ‘induction heating system’ in each pantry car as in the Rajdhani Express pantry cars . While there is no risk to life, food quality has been up to the mark also, he said.
According to sources , the railway ministry has been considering a proposal to introduce trolley system in all mail and express trains on the pattern of aeroplanes so that food or breakfast could be easily served to passengers on running trains. Railways has already decided to ensure smokeless cooking at each major station falling under East Central Railway ( ECR ) in Bihar and other zones of railways from safety and food quality point of view, sources said.