Indian Railways to offer free food to passengers in case trains get delayed

If there is one thing that could annoy the rail passengers waiting at the platform, it is a delayed train. Long-distance trains are often delayed for hours, leaving the passengers stranded at railway stations. Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has launched a new service to cater to the passengers who have booked tickets in the delayed trains. The railways will now supply free food to the passengers if the trains get delayed for two hours or more. This service will be offered to passengers on premium trains like the Rajadhani Express, Shatabdi Express, and Duronto Express.

The food will be served according to IRCTC's catering policies. The dishes may vary according to the time of the day they are distributed. Tea or coffee would be served with biscuits for breakfast; passengers could ask for unsweetened tea and coffee. Meanwhile, rice and dal curry would be given for lunch. The evening tea comes with four bread slices and a fruit drink. Dinner consists of puri, mixed vegetable curry, and pickles.

Passengers who cancel their tickets due to prolonged delays will get their money fully refunded. They can cancel the tickets and claim the refund through the booking app if the train gets delayed by more than three hours or is rerouted. However, if the ticket is purchased from the station counter, the passenger should reach the counter in person to cancel the ticket and claim the refund. Besides the free food and the refund, the railway also plans to offer a few other services to the passengers. Allowing the passengers to spend longer hours in the waiting rooms without charging additional fees and keeping the restaurants open for longer durations too are under consideration. Moreover, the service of the Railway Protection Force and other employees would be ensured to assure the safety of the passengers who travel at night.