Lok Sabha Question No. 3549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-22
Subject: Change of Catering Menu in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Sudheer Gupta, Shrirang Appa Barne, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Prataprao  Jadhav, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3549

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.03.2023

## CHANGE OF CATERING MENU IN RAILWAYS

3549. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Railways has changed /proposes to change the catering menu for the passengers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  include  more  traditional  and regional dishes, baby foods for small children and other relevant dishes as
- per the health requirement of passengers in the catering menu;
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  criteria  likely  to  be  followed  for deciding the menu;
- (d) whether the Railways proposes to include dishes made of millets in the catering menu considering the international millets year, 2023 and if so, the names of dishes included therein;
- (e) whether this facility of changed catering menu will be available in all the trains in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the time by which this facility is likely to be made available in all the trains in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c): Yes, Sir. Indian Railways (IR) has taken initiatives to offer the items of regional cuisines /preferences, seasonal delicacies. IR has also introduced  food  items  as  per  the  preferences  of  different  groups  of passengers  and  health  food  options  such  as Jain  Food,  Diabetic  Menu, Baby Food, etc. in the menu of catering services in trains over IR.

Some of the highlights of menu revision are as under:

-  Menu is designed without affecting the existing tariff.
-  Inclusion of Regional food preferences such as Dalma, Gujarati Kathi Meeti Kadhi, Macher Jhol Fish Curry, Sambhar etc.
-  Inclusion of Millet items such as Ragi Laddoo, Ragi Kachori, Ragi Idli, Ragi Dosa (Masala), Ragi Uttapam etc.
-  Introduction of Diabetic & Jain menu.
-  2  Namkeen  items  have  been  reduced  to  1  item  and  sandwich introduced in 2A/3A/CC Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/ Duronto trains.
-  Introduction of seasonal dry veg.
-  Introduction of jaggery powder and honey sachet as healthy options to sugar.

(d):  Yes,  Sir.  The  year 2023  is  the  "International  Year  of  Millets".  IR  has introduced  food  items  made  of  millets  such  as  Millet  Laddoo,  Millet Kachori, Millet  Khichdi,  Millet  Dalia,  Millet  Biscuits,  Ragi  Idli,  Ragi  Dosa (Masala),  Ragi  Uttapam  etc.  in  the  catering  menu  being  served  to passengers in trains.

(e)  and  (f):  The  newly  changed  menu  has  been   introduced  in  trains progressively w.e.f. 26th January, 2023.  It is a continuous endeavour of IR to make available food items to travelling passengers in trains as per their requirement and feedback.

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