State-of-the-art kitchen opens at Hubli railway station

State-of-the-art kitchen opens at Hubli railway station

TNN, Mar 27, 2010, 10.21pm IST

HUBLI: Minister of state for railways, K H Muniyappa, on Saturday said the catering services of the railways is in for a major overhaul.

Speaking after inaugurating Cell Kitchen at Hubli railway station, he said a survey conducted by IRCTC revealed that over 50% of passengers were not happy with the quality of food being supplied in trains while 15.09% and 13.73% passengers were upset with bedroll and overcharging, respectively.

Muniyappa said IRCTC has taken steps by introducing hamper system in base kitchen, conducting food and hygiene audit, centralized rate contract for reputed branded quality product, signed MoU with HPCL for smooth supply of LPG and adoption of fuel-efficient practices in kitchens.

He said IRCTC is taking up the challenge of improving the quality of catering services, spreading awareness among the passengers to curb overcharging, and ensuring cleanliness in compartments, etc.

Cell kitchen

The Cell Kitchen launched in Hubli railway station is the first state-of-the-art kitchen in South Western Railway zone and 20th in Indian Railways. Built at a cost of Rs 45 lakh, the kitchen has modern equipment like steam cooking, cold storage room, dish washing system, etc.

The food prepared in Cell Kitchen will be supplied to pantry cars and stalls. Cell Kitchen is mandated to provide quality coffee, tea, breakfast, meals at regulated prices.