The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) was fined Rs.1 lakh as a cockroach was found in the food supplied in the Kolkata Rajdhani Express on July 23. Nine other catering contractors were also fined Rs.11 lakh for supply of poor quality food in 13 other trains.
“In view of the concerns being raised by passengers on the poor quality of food being supplied by IRCTC, a decision was taken to change the food supply contractor,” East Coast Railway General Manager Rajiv Vishnoi said during his recent visit to the city. Be it IRCTC or any other supplier, the quality of food in trains can be ensured only when the coaches are kept clean and tidy to prevent the proliferation of cockroaches and rodents in the compartment. More importantly, the railways should consider shifting of the food racks in coaches, which are now located close to the toilets and the wash basin, giving scope for water spilling on the stacked food.
The food suppliers arrange the meal plates and casseroles in the racks in each of the coaches, much before they are actually distributed to passengers. There is a danger of cockroaches and other insects creeping into the plates and nibbling the food material before they reach the passenger.
IndiGo has launched a second daily non-stop flight from Hyderabad to Vizag and back from August 3. The new service is convenient to business travellers and others, who finish their work in Vizag and have to return to Hyderabad the same evening.
The new service leaves Hyderabad at 3.45 p.m. and reaches Vizag at 4.55 p.m. It leaves Vizag at 5.25 p.m. to reach Hyderabad at 6.35 p.m. The other service leaves Hyderabad at 11.35 a.m. and reaches here at 12.45 p.m. It leaves Vizag at 1.15 p.m.
Leisure travellers, planning their trip 90 days ahead of their journey date, can avail of discounted fares.
