IRCTC to open food plazas at more MRTS stations

Following the good response to the food plaza at the Thiruvanmiyur railway station, Southern Railway is gearing to open similar food plazas at Egmore and Tiruttani.

The food plaza at Thiruvanmiyur railway station opposite Tidel Park, that was opened by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) recently, is the first such facility on the elevated stretch. It has one of the largest footfall on the MRTS section.

“One of the grievances of the MRTS commuters was the lack of food counters at stations and Southern Railway is taking steps to fulfil their demands,” said a senior official of the Southern Railway.

Now, plans are afoot for the construction of three food counters at the Thirumalai railway station on the MRTS stretch, for which tenders have been floated by the IRCTC. Similarly, tenders have been floated for food plazas at Nungambakkam, Palavanthangal, Ambattur and Paranur stations.

Inspection at 4 stations

The official added that a joint inspection by officials of the Southern Railway and IRCTC was completed at four stations — Chennai Central (platform no.1), Mambalam, Guindy and Perambur. Once the final plan is submitted, tenders would be floated.

Southern Railway is also planning to get approval to set up food plazas at the Pallavaram and Chromepet stations on the Chennai Beach-Tambaram stretch, and Villivakkam and Tiruvallur stations on the western section.