In order to increase revenue and create additional jobs, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is converting old train coaches into restaurants.
Sabyasachi De, the NFR’s chief public relations officer, stated that one such coach restaurant has opened in Katihar, Bihar, and another is nearing completion at the New Jalpaiguri station in Bengal. He also stated that plans for the establishment of 15 more such coach restaurants in various locations across the five divisions have been finalised.
With the proliferation of LHB coaches, the old coaches of Indian railways are being phased out. Old coaches are being converted into coach restaurants.
“The coach restaurants are designed with aesthetic and heritage look for the attraction of travellers. People can enjoy with family and friends the ecstatic feeling while getting experience of dining in train coaches. There will be facilities to buy food, snacks and beverages at the coach restaurants,” De said.
Coach restaurants
Plans have been finalised for two coach restaurants, one each in Darjeeling and Jogbani under the Katihar division. Seven coach restaurants will open in the Alipurduar division at New Coochbehar, New Alipurduar, Madarihat, Lataguri, Chalsa, Raja Bhat Khawa, and New Mal. Similar restaurants will open in Rangia and Rangapara North under the Rangiya division, while three more will open under the Lumding division, two in Guwahati and one in Diphu, and one in New Tinsukia under the Tinsukia division.
“Moreover, 43 locations under NFR have been selected for introducing such coach restaurants. Coach restaurants are being planned and works are under progress at six locations in Katihar, eight in Alipurduar, 14 in Rangia, 11 in Lumding and four in Tinsukia divisions,” De said. “Apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways, this initiative is expected to create employment for both skilled and unskilled workers too,” he said.
