The Central Railway is embarking on an ambitious expansion of its unique dining concept, planning to transform retired railway coaches into full-scale, round-the-clock restaurants at four new locations. This innovative initiative aims to significantly upgrade the culinary landscape for passengers and local residents alike.
Four New Locations for Unique Dining Experience
The project will see the launch of these coach-turned-restaurants at Ajni Railway Colony in Nagpur and Wardha station in Maharashtra, as well as at Pandhurna and Betul stations in Madhya Pradesh. This move comes after the resounding success of India's first such venture, which was pioneered by the Nagpur division at Nagpur station itself back in 2021.
Building on four years of valuable operational experience, the railway authorities are now offering a far more attractive proposition to potential restaurateurs. A key change is the lease tenure. Instead of shorter contracts, the division is now offering 10-year agreements, doubling the earlier period. Officials state that this longer timeframe provides serious food brands with the confidence to invest substantially and ensures a reasonable period for them to recover their returns.
More Than Just a Restaurant: Creating Vibrant Zones
The offering for successful bidders extends beyond the iconic coach structure. They will also be granted access to adjoining railway land for landscaping and aesthetic development. This additional space is intended to transform ordinary platform areas into vibrant hubs that combine food with greenery.
"This aspect would not only make the eating experience pleasant but make the railway premises look attractive," explained an official involved in the project. The vision is to create inviting food-and-recreation zones that enhance the overall ambiance of the stations.
Round-the-Clock Service with Strict Quality Control
Each outlet is mandated to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, catering not only to train passengers but also to the local community. The restaurants will serve a wide array of cuisines, functioning under the strict quality and hygiene supervision protocols of the railways. This ensures that tasty, healthy, and safe food is available at all hours.
The selection process for operators will be a transparent e-auction conducted on the government's online portal, www.ireps.gov.in. The bidding is scheduled for December 22 this year.
Interest from the food industry appears to be high. "Top city food brands and established chains are already showing keen interest, seeing this as a golden opportunity to capture high-footfall railway locations and strengthen their presence in Vidarbha and central India," the official added.
This initiative represents a clear win-win scenario. It provides entrepreneurs with long-term, high-visibility business spaces at prime locations, while simultaneously offering travellers and local residents access to world-class dining and recreational facilities, redefining the experience of Indian railway stations.
