`Idly, Dosa, Vada Pav...': For a change, travelers can now order customized food on trains

New Delhi: Travelers can now order food of their choice while traveling on trains.

In a first, the Ministry of Railways gives IRCTC flexibility to customize the menu of food items served on trains which include millet-based local products and regional dishes.

Travelers particularly diabetics, infants, and fitness enthusiasts can now order customized food as per their requirements.

As per the Board, the improved menu will have regional cuisines. For prepaid trains in which catering charges are included in the passenger fare, the menu shall be decided by IRCTC within the tariff already notified.

For other Mail/Express trains, a menu of budget segment items like standard meals shall be decided by IRCTC within the fixed tariff already notified. The menu and Tariff of Janta Meals shall remain unchanged.

According to the Railway officials, there have been regular complaints from the passengers, on lack of regional food in the trains.

"The menu will include the items of regional cuisines/preferences, seasonal delicacies, requirements during festivals, food items as per the preferences of different groups of passengers such as diabetic food, baby food, health food options including millet-based local products' ', said the Order.

For instance, train services in Telugu states will have Idly, Upma, Dosa, Noodles, and Ragi Malt, while a train to Gujarat will have local delicacies like fafda, dhokla, and vada pav.

According to the Railway Board, while deciding the menu, IRCTC shall ensure, they would upgrade the quality and standards of food and service.