Indian Railways is launching a new scheme from April 1 under which waitlisted passengers can get confirmed accommodation in the next alternative train if they opt for the option while booking their tickets. Come April and a passenger can avail the opportunity of traveling in Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains even if he or she has booked tickets in other mail/express trains for the same destinations.

As per the scheme, there would be no extra charges taken from the passenger or any refund provided for the difference of fare. Known as ‘Vikalp’, the alternative train accommodation scheme aims to utilize vacant berths in many premier trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto and other special services such as Suvidha trains in all major routes.

From April and a passenger can avail the opportunity of traveling in Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains even if he or she has booked tickets in other mail/express trains for the same destinations.

A senior Railway Ministry official said, “We aim to achieve the twin objectives of providing confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation by this scheme.”

The passenger, if opts for the ‘Vikalp’ scheme while booking tickets, will get SMS alert on his/her mobile phone about getting confirmed accommodation in the alternative train.

In addition to this after receiving complaints from irritated passengers about the quality of the food being served, the Indian Railways took to Twitter to make one thing crystal clear it’s working on making things better and it works for the public 24/7. Just to prove that it means business, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has tweeted out the entire menu to the world to make sure no one is being swindled.

Indian Railways Updated Menu:

As per the revealed prices, people will pay ₹50 for a vegetarian lunch, ₹55 for a non-vegetarian one and they would pay between ₹30 to ₹35 for breakfast. And tea will cost ₹7.

Know the rate list of @IRCATERING in case of any discrepancies must reported to @RailMinIndia: We work for you 24×7 #Awareness pic.twitter.com/3aC59jakWI

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 21, 2017

To address the myriad complaints lodged by passengers about food quality, the authorities also held a round table conference.

ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE ON CATERING
Have Agenda of round table conference pic.twitter.com/4b5flX2tcq

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 21, 2017

Here are some of the highlight points discussed during the meeting:

1) In order to ensure good quality for passengers, state-of-the-line base kitchens will be built at several railway stations. Every two hours, fresh food will be picked up by trains from these kitchen facilities.

2) A new catering policy to provide for the 11 lakh meals it serves its passengers every day. In this policy, the railways has separated the cooking and the distribution of food to different bodies.

3) Authorities have sought out the participation of reputed caterers to improve the quality of services.

3) Base kitchens will be mechanised to help minimise human error or human intervention, the minister further noted.

The Indian railways have also urged the public to register complaints against any carrier in the railways if they are overcharged.

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