When do passengers get free food from Indian Railways during winters?

If a premium train like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, or Duronto is delayed by two or more hours in winter due to fog or other reasons, passengers are eligible to receive free meals onboard.

What kind of free meals are offered during delays?

The meals depend on the time of day. For morning or evening, tea or coffee with biscuits and bread with butter is served. For lunch or dinner, passengers may get rice with dal or rajma, or pooris with sabzi, along with pickle and condiments.

Can passengers get a refund if their train is delayed?

Yes, if a train is delayed by more than three hours or rerouted, passengers are eligible for a full refund. For e-tickets, the amount is returned to the original payment method. For counter tickets, passengers need to cancel physically at the station.

Are any extra facilities provided at the station during winter delays?

Yes, passengers can use waiting rooms for free, and food stalls remain open for longer hours to serve those waiting for delayed trains.

What steps are taken for safety during these delays?

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) increases patrolling and deploys more staff at stations during winter delays to ensure the safety and security of all passengers.

Are any extra facilities provided at the station during winter delays?

Yes, passengers can use waiting rooms for free, and food stalls remain open for longer hours to serve those waiting for delayed trains.

What steps are taken for safety during these delays?

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) increases patrolling and deploys more staff at stations during winter delays to ensure the safety and security of all passengers.

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Free Food and Special Facilities: Indian Railways’ Winter Provisions For Passengers

Komal Bajpai

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Updated: 28-01-2025 at 7:25 AM

Free Food and Special Facilities: Indian Railways’ Winter Provisions For Passengers

Train delays are most rife during the winter season because of the poor visibility due to fog, which inconveniences the train users. To reduce the level of inconvenience likely to be caused by such measures, the Indian Railways has adopted some measures as follows. Such are free meals on the late premium trains such as Rajdhani and Shatabdi and others which were intended to improve services for better travel comfort.

What Are The Free Food Facilities For Delayed Trains?

They added that passengers on the trains classified under the AC category can be served free meals especially if their journey has been halted by a delay of more than two hours.

Eligible Trains:

Passengers who avail of Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto Express and other First AC and AC classes are provided coverage.
There is free dining under the IRCTC catering arrangement, and everyone is allowed to eat.

Food Options Based On Time:

Tea/Coffee: Packaged cookies, sugar or sugar substitute sachets, and milk cream.
Breakfast or Evening Tea: Four bread slices either white or brown, butter, fruit drink (200ml), tea or coffee.
Lunch or Dinner: Basmati rice with yellow dal, rajma or chole, packets of pickles, or puris with mixed vegetables.

Can You Get a Refund for Delayed or Diverted Trains?

Yes, passengers can cancel tickets for a full refund if trains are delayed by over three hours, or rerouted.

Refund Process: For online tickets, refunds in case of cancellation are done based on the method of payment utilised initially.
Counter Tickets: They can only arrange to get their cash refund from the station.

What Other Special Facilities Does Indian Railways Provide?

The comfort of passengers is also kept in mind by Indian Railways during overtime by providing extra facilities.

Free Waiting Room: Anyone who wants to use the waiting rooms can do so without being charged.
Extended Food Stall Hours: They eat from and buy cooked foods from Kiosks, Food Stalls and other similar establishments existing at stations with meals prepared by the railways being served in the stations till late in the night to cater for passengers.
Enhanced Security: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is responsible for the security of the station as well as the moving trains.

Conclusion

Buying into this idea of improving passenger comfort which Indian Railways has embraced despite wintering weather. Dividing free meals for passengers on delayed premium trains or enhancing traveller amenities make travel better and safer.

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