Indian Railways’ catering arm Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has ordered to stop food services in mail/ express trains from March 22nd until further notice.
The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Besides, IRCTC has also decided to close all food plazas, refreshment rooms, Jan Aahars and cell kitchens until further notice.
However, all the static units supplying meals to prepaid trains which are in operation may continue to operate. Further IRCTC stated that, “if there is a demand of onboard services then only propriety article depot (PAD) items, tea and coffee may be allowed to be sold in trains. Such operation should be conducted using minimum number of staff. The licensee should be requested to take care of their catering staff on humanitarian grounds during this period of closure.”
“These instructions shall come into force from March 22. For the purpose of license fee this period will be covered under force majeure. If there is a demand, license is permitted to sell PAD items, tea and coffee,” the order stated.
