Lok Sabha Question No. 1782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-09
Subject: Discontinuation of Pantry Car Facility
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARI NARAYAN RAJBHAR, GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, P. C. MOHAN, T.G. VENKATESH BABU, RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE, RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1782 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2015

## DISCONTINUATION OF PANTRY CAR FACILITY

## †1782. SHRI HARINARAYAN RAJBHAR:

DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

SHRI P.C. MOHAN:

SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G.:

SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  has  decided  to  discontinue pantry car facility in long distance trains and introduce e-catering system;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of trains in which pantry cars have been removed;
- (c)  whether  the  Government is aware that majority of the passengers are not  accustomed  to  the  e-catering  system  and  the  passengers  in  long distance trains will not get even tea and snacks in the trains if the pantry car system is discontinued and if so, the reaction thereto;
- (d) whether the food compartment system will continue until all the stations have been provided e-catering facility and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  whether  e-catering  service  is  likely  to  be  extended  to  other  railway stations  of  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  quality  food  to  passengers  where e-catering service will not be available?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (e):  No instructions have been issued for discontinuation of pantry car facility  in  trains.  However,  in  order  to  widen  the  range  of  food options Contd..2/..

available to passengers,  E-catering services have been introduced, through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in trains without pantry car or Train Side Vending as well as on 45 designated stations from where  passengers  of    originating/passing  trains  can  avail  of  this  facility. IRCTC has tied  up  with  renowned,  reputed  and  established  brands  in  the field of catering services so that the passengers can order good quality and hygienic  food  of  their  choice.    Further,  Janta  Khana  is  also  being  made available through E-catering services. Efforts are being made to proliferate and  popularize  this  service  through  print  and  electronic  media  so  that passengers  can  order  food  of  their  choice  conveniently.  Based  on  the feedback received from rail-users, this scheme will be further extended to other  railway  stations.  Steps  have  been  taken  /are  being  taken  to  ensure that  good  quality  and  hygienic  food  is  served  to  the  passengers  which include:  (i)  Imposition  of  penalties  in  case  of  deficiencies  detected  in services.    (ii)  Introduction  of  precooked  food  ('ready  to  eat'  meals)  in  the range  of  options  available  to  passengers.  (iii)  Operation  of  centralized Catering Service Monitoring Cell (CSMC) (toll free number 1800-111-321) for prompt redressal of passenger grievances relating to the catering activities and  real  time  assistance  to  travelling  public.  (iv)  Operation  of  all  India Helpline  (No.138)  for  rail-users  to  lodge  complaints/suggestions  regarding food and catering services.

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