Indian Railways launches four services to strengthen passenger delivery system

New Delhi, Mar.15 (ANI): Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday inaugurated four services aimed at strengthening passenger comfort delivery systems.

A ministry statement said that these initiatives were: (1) Extension of e-Catering services from existing 45 large railway stations to all 408 A-1 and 'A' class Railway Stations (II) Launch of E-ticket booking facility for accredited Journalists on concessional passes (III) Traffic rationalization - Policy permitting 2-point loading in BCN wagons and increasing scope of mini-rake facility from 400 km to 600 km in both BCN and BCNHL wagons and (IV) Commencement of a pilot study on introduction of accrual accounting and upgraded costing system at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala.

Speaking on the occasion, Prabhu said 90 per cent of Members of Parliament have thanked the Railways for introducing a new culture in the Railways.

He said that every passenger service is backed by good planning and a lot of effort.

Under the extending scheme of E-Catering, travelling passengers would be able to order food of their choice from leading private caterers at designated 408 major railway stations.

He said that this scheme will include food prepared by women at home which will also lead to women empowerment.

About the E-Ticketing Service to accredited journalist, Prabhu said that this was a long-standing demand of the journalists to allow the process of online booking ticket through concessional passes which has now been fulfilled.

He said that duty of a journalist demand lot of travelling and thus their demand was acceded to by the ministry.

The pilot study on introduction of accrual accounting and upgraded costing system would ensure proper monitoring of railway assets.

On freight rationalization, the minister said that it is an ongoing process and as freight is main revenue resource for Railways, there was a need to make this aspect of the railway services very market friendly.