Indian Railways (IR) is again in the news recently regarding its "plans" for improving the quality of rail food served in important trains. Ever since the new regime assumed power in Delhi, rail food has been the subject matter of several press releases, statements by officials, press conferences etc conveying an impression that serving good quality food with safety at reasonable price is the top priority of IR. Scratching at the surface of a deep rooted problem like serving decent food, is not going to bear fruit unless the root cause of this malady is understood by the Railway Board. Look at the statement from this organization "identifying" the reason for bad quality of food in "some" trains
"Sources said Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation, which handles the arrangement of pantry cars in over 400 trains including Rajdhanis and Shatabdis, had received several complaints about lack of cleanliness and substandard fare available during the journey. In order to probe into the matter, the corporation carried out a survey, according to which pantries in 18% trains were in a miserable condition. Keeping the findings in mind, the officials proposed to the railway board for adding AC pantries in trains". An official said "the boilers in normal pantry cars affect the quality of food stored there. Moreover, cleanliness was not up to mark. Therefore, we've decided to attached the new AC cars.''
In what way AC pantry car will improve the quality of food served is some thing difficult to understand when the food is of indifferent quality during preparation itself. It is true that bacterial proliferation and chemical spoilage is retarded at lower temperatures but no measure can improve the eating quality of a bad food. Unless IR goes in for a PPP model with food industry and introduce hygienically processed "heat and serve"foods with high stability and long life, it is unlikely that rail passengers will ever be able to lay their hands on a clean and safe food.
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