Guwahati: North-East Cuisines to be part of your rail journey.

If all goes according to plan, then very soon when travelling by train, one might enjoy foods from the Northeastern area that are likely to find their way onto the IRCTC menu.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which oversees the Indian Railways' catering operation, has been granted full rein to modify the menu as it sees fit and to suit to the tastes of each state.

Culinary elements including regional cuisines or preferences, seasonal specialties, requirements for festivals, etc., might be included in the customization, a statement said. "The implementation can take longer than usual. The cuisine and cultures of the North East are very diverse. The newest menu design is now being discussed in detail. This will take longer to finish than in other states," said Sabysache De, chief public relations officer, to BNE.

Food items may also be tailored to the requirements of different passenger groups, such as diabetic food, infant food, healthy food alternatives, including locally produced millet goods.

 IRCTC would choose the menu within the parameters of the previously-notified rate for prepaid trains when catering costs are included in the passenger fee, it was said. The sale of branded food items and a-la-carte meals on MRP will also be authorised on prepaid trains. The menu and price for a-la-carte meals will be determined by IRCTC.

In the interim, the Northeast Frontier Railway said in a news release that the IRCTC will choose the fixed-price menu for additional Mail/Express trains, including the selection of basic meals.

The discussion over the personalised meal menu has not yet ended, though.

In order to avoid passenger complaints, the IRCTC has also been directed to ensure that advancements in food quality and service standards are maintained and that measures are put in place to prevent frequent and needless changes, such as decreases in quantity and quality, the use of inferior brands, etc. The menus would also be in accordance with the prices and would be made known in advance for the advantage of the clients, it was further said.

However, the menu and pricing structure of Janta Meals will remain the same

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