Indian Railways Turns Old Coaches to Restaurant on Wheels

New Delhi: Indian Railways launched its first ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ at the circulating area of Asansol railway station for the use of passengers as well as the general public of Asansol. The Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Babul Supriyo, inaugurated this first of its kind restaurant at a program held in Asansol, West Bengal, on 26 February. Supriyo also inaugurated two new air-conditioned retiring rooms and Electronic Reservation Chart Display System and a battery-operated car at Asansol station.

The ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ at Asansol station circulating area was developed by refurbishing two, over-aged Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) coaches. This unique effort will not only improve the facilities at Asansol station but also generate non-fare revenue earnings of approximately Rs 50 lakh in the next five years. The restaurant is called ‘Wow Bhojan’, while the tea boutique is called ‘Chai-Chun’.

The Electronic Reservation Chart Display System will provide easy access to information about the reservation status in different trains, which will be very helpful for the railway passengers at Asansol station. The two new air-conditioned retiring rooms equipped with state-of-the-art furniture and other equipment will provide much comfort to the passengers. The battery-operated car will be helpful for differently-abled (divyangjan) and senior citizen passengers for their comfortable movement at the station area.

Source: Indus Dictum

Image Courtesy: organizer