In a
development which will surely persuade groans from passengers, the Indian
Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to hike catering
service fares on the Shatabadi, Rajdhani and Duronto class of trains.
A circular issued by the Director (tourism and
catering) of the Railway Board mentioned that the cost of prepaid food items on
the said class of trains will go up significantly.
For example,
as per the revised rates, a cup of tea which used to cost Rs 10, will now cost
Rs 20 in 2nd AC and Rs 15 in the sleeper class.
Similarly, lunch or dinner in the sleeper
class of Duronto will now cost Rs 120 instead of the earlier Rs 80.
Defending
the hike, the circular issued by the Railways Ministry states that this was
done as per requests received from the IRCTC as well as recommendations of the
menu and tariff committee set up by the Railway Board.
Here are some
changes as per the Railways Ministry order:
1st AC/EC in Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto
Morning Tea:
Rs 35 from Rs 15
Breakfast:
Rs 140 from Rs 90
Lunch/Dinner:
Rs 245 from Rs 145
Evening Tea:
Rs 140 from Rs 75
2nd AC/3rd
AC/CC in Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto
Morning Tea:
Rs 20 from Rs 10
Breakfast:
Rs 105 from Rs 75
Lunch/Dinner:
Rs 185 from Rs 125
Evening Tea:
Rs 90 from Rs 45
Sleeper
Class (Duronto)
Morning Tea:
Rs 15 from Rs 10
Breakfast:
Rs 65 from Rs 40
Lunch/Dinner:
Rs 120 from Rs 80
Evening Tea:
Rs 50 from Rs 20
Other
Mail/Express Trains
Morning Tea:
Rs 40 from Rs 30
Breakfast:
Rs 50 from Rs 35
Lunch/Dinner:
Rs 80 from Rs 50
Evening Tea:
Rs 90 from Rs 55
The new tariff
and menu shall be available in the ticket system after 15 days. It will come
into effect after two months from the date of issue (November 14) of the
circular.