KFC-McDonald’s will soon open at railway stations
If you are also among those crores of passengers who are often disappointed with the quality of food served at the station during train journey, then this news will bring a big smile on your face. Indian Railways has taken such a historic decision, which is going to change the entire catering system of the country. Now soon you will see outlets of international brands like KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and trusted local brands like Haldiram, Bikanerwala on the platforms of big railway stations.
This step of the Railways is not limited to just the redevelopment of the station, but its direct objective is to make the journey more comfortable and modern. This new system will bring a major improvement in both the quality and quantity of food options at more than 1200 stations across the country. Especially high-tech stations in metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad will be the first centers to take advantage of this change. Passengers will now get clean, reliable and branded food, which will completely eliminate food worries.
Now the stall will be available only through ‘e-auction’
Railway Board has kept transparency at the top in this entire change. Often, many questions have been raised regarding stall allotment at the best location of the station. To root out all these disputes, Railways has implemented a very strict rule: Premium brand stalls will not be given on ‘Nomination Basis’ under any circumstances.
That means, now neither the recommendation nor any other method will work. Allotment of all these high-value outlets will be done only through E-Auction. This will ensure that Railways gets maximum revenue and only the most deserving brands get a chance to come to the station. The period of allotment has also been fixed—each outlet will be given an operational tenure of 5 years. It has also been clarified in the new policy that outlets under single-brand, company-owned or franchise model can be opened only when their need and adequate space at the station is proved.
Luxury facilities will be available first at crowded stations
Railway officials say that this change will be implemented in a phased manner. Naturally, it will start from those stations where the number of passengers (footfall) is highest and where the demand for branded outlets was being made for a long time. Now the zonal railways will assess at their respective levels how much space is available at which station, how much passenger traffic there is, and how this scheme can be implemented in the best way.
Zonal Railways have been given the responsibility to prepare special rules and contracts as per their area so that the operation of these premium outlets can start without any hindrance. However, throughout this process, care has been taken that there is no impact on the existing reservation policy. There will be no change in the stall quota reserved for SC, ST, OBC, freedom fighters and displaced persons.