Indian Railways introduced a new service for passengers traveling in unreserved and general coaches. Under the Janta Khana or Economy Meal scheme, people can now buy a full meal for 20 rupees. IRCTC is managing these counters to ensure that cheap and clean food is available for every traveler during their journey.
Menu and pricing of the affordable rail meals
The railway board has fixed the prices to make food accessible for everyone. These meals are sold at specific counters located on platforms. Passengers can choose between a standard meal or a larger snack combo based on their requirements.
- The 20 rupee meal includes 7 poories, dry potato curry, and pickle.
- In some regions, options like curd rice or lemon rice are also available for 20 rupees.
- A snack meal for 50 rupees offers 350 grams of food like Rajma-Chawal, Chole-Bhature, or Masala Dosa.
- Passengers can also buy 200ml sealed water glasses for only 3 rupees.
Station lists and counter locations
To help general coach passengers, these stalls are placed right in front of the unreserved compartments. This allows passengers to buy food without fear of missing their train or losing their seats. More than 150 counters are currently working at 100 stations across India.
| Railway Zone | Service Details |
|---|---|
| Southern Railway | 34 stations including Chennai, Madurai, and Salem are covered. |
| East Central Railway | 20 major stations have started these meal counters. |
| National Coverage | Over 150 economy meal counters are operational nationwide. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is included in the 20 rupee meal?
The 20 rupee Economy Meal includes 7 poories, dry potato subzi, and pickle, weighing around 337 grams in total.
Where can passengers find these 20 rupee meal counters?
These counters are located on railway platforms specifically near the general class or unreserved coaches for easy access.