Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is planning to tie up with women’s self help groups (SHG) to enhance its e-catering portfolio. The empanelled SHGs will be displayed on e-catering websites with their menu and prices. This move is expected to help in sustainable development of SHGs.
“The proposed association with SHGs is part of our plan to empower women.The initiative aims to develop local communities and ensure all-inclusive growth,” said A K Manocha, chairman and director, IRCTC.
Manocha noted that India has over one crore SHGs, mostly functioning in rural and semi-urban areas with 10 to 20 members per group, of which majority are women.
“We plan to collaborate with some of them which are into making food items. The finer points will evolve clear in the weeks to come,” Manocha added.
Currently, IRCTC provides e-catering facility in all the trains passing through the most important 45 stations of Indian Railways. It also provides food to 1516 trains without pantry cars. The food is directly delivered by the vendor on the seat of the passenger.
In its e-catering service which facilitates supply of food on ordering two hours before boarding the train, IRCTC is already in a collaboration with Foodpanda, KFC, Domino’s, TFS, Street Foods, Wimpy, Jan Aahar, Mio Amore, Alibaba, Cafe Lite, Hello Curry and Ratna Cafe, besides IRCTC Food Plaza and IRCTC Fast Food Units.
(PTI)
