ER to set up food court at Sealdah Station before Durja Puja

Kolkata: Eastern Railway has decided to set up a food court at Sealdah Station before Durga Puja this year.

"The food court is expected to come up by Pujas this year," said Nikhil Kumar Chakrobarty, chief public relation officer of Eastern Railway.

Snacks maker Haldiram's has been roped in to set up the restaurant at the Sealdah station. The site plan has been approved. According to sources in Eastern Railway, the food court will be set up at the Sealdah South concourse on the mezzanine floor and the ground floor will have shops. The food court sprawls over 2000 square metres. It will have a capacity of catering 40 people at time. The customers will also get discounts.

Eastern Railway provided the space for the construction of the food court. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) floated the tender and Haldiram's bagged the contract.

The revenue from the food court will be divided between IRCTC and Indian Railways by 60% and 40 % respectively.

"The food court is being constructed for passengers who are coming from outskirts to Kolkata to celebrate Durga Puja," said an Eastern Railway official.

The Sealdah station witnesses nearly 12 lakh footfall a day. However, during Durga puja the rush of passengers shoots up to 15 lakh.

This apart, the Eastern Railway also runs Durga Puja special trains to cater the festive rush. While the food court will serve vegetarian food, the kiosks on the ground floor will have all sorts of edible items.

"It is too early to comment if passengers will the provision to order food online and get it delivered before boarding the train. Once the construction is completed, we will be able to comment on that," said the official.

However, the Eastern Railway offers executive lounge services and A/C dormitory for the passengers at Sealdah station.