Now, be prepared to spend more for tea, snacks and meals on train journey. Circulars issued by the Director of Tourism and Food Department in the Railway Board showed that tea, snacks and food in the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains are going to be expensive. While taking tickets for these trains, one has to pay for tea, breakfast and food. At the same time, passengers in other trains will also have to bear the brunt of inflation.
As per the new rates applicable for Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains, the passengers of Second AC will now have to pay Rs 20 for tea, instead of Rs 15 for Sleeper class passengers. In Duronto's sleeper class, breakfast or food was earlier available for Rs 80 which would be Rs 120. At the same time, the price of evening tea is going to increase from Rs 20 to Rs 50.
New rates apply after four months
The new menu and charges in the ticketing system will be updated in 15 days while it will be implemented after 120 days (four months). Then in the first AC coach of the capital, the food will be available for Rs 245 instead of Rs 145. The revised rates will affect not only the passengers of premium trains but also the general public. A regular vegetarian meal will be available for Rs 80 in regular mail and express trains, which is currently priced at Rs 50. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will provide Egg Biryani to railway passengers for 90 rupees and Chicken Biryani for 110 rupees. Chicken curry will also be served in regular trains at a price of Rs 130.
Increase for the first time since 2014
Regarding evening tea being more expensive than morning tea, a railway official said that roasted nuts, snacks and sweets etc. will be given along with evening tea. An official of the Railway Board, in favor of increasing the prices, said, 'We want to improve the quality of catering service in the railways. Therefore, this step is being taken. The last time rates were changed in 2014. The circular of the Railway Board states that it has been decided to increase the prices on the request of IRCTC and the recommendations of the Man & Tariff Committee constituted by the Board.
