The Central Railway (CR) will set up its unique ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ at 11 more stations, including seven in the Mumbai division. Mounted inside a mounted coach, the fine-dining restaurant offers a unique experience and can accommodate over 40 patrons.
First such restaurant was launched at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) last year, and another at Nagpur station earlier this year under the non-fare revenue scheme. Both restaurants have received an overwhelming response. In fact, the one at CSMT has become a landmark of sorts.
Which are the four new stations?
Railway officials said more restaurants are planned at Akurdi, Chinchwad, Baramati (all in Pune district) and Miraj (Sangli) stations. In the Mumbai division, they will come up in the next few months at Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Kalyan, Lonavala, Igatpuri, Neral and popular picnic spot of Matheran. CR spokesperson said the tendering process will be completed by the end of the financial year.
Officials said that the Restaurant on Wheels is a “superb example of passenger-friendly initiatives combined with novel ideas of revenue generation”. Nearly 1.25 lakh visitors have enjoyed dining at the CSMT restaurant and 1.50 lakh people have visited the outlet in Nagpur since its opening.
Mr Rishabh Jain, 32, a software engineer, frequently dines at the CSMT restaurant. A software engineer, he said, “I am sure people will love more of these restaurants.” Another patron, Mr Suketu Maitra, 42, said, “I have been enjoying eating at the CSMT restaurant for over six months now. Whenever I get a chance, I love to spend quality time here having delicious food.
