IRCTC launches Food Plaza at Trivandrum rail stn

The Trivandrum Central Railway Station has opened its doors to perhaps one of the biggest food outlets of the south. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has opened its third multi cuisine Food Plaza in Kerala, on a total built up area of 4000 sq ft. The Food Plaza is housed on three sprawling floors "� each with an area of around 1,280 sq ft to 1350 sq ft.

Speaking to Business Standard about the launch of the Food Plaza, Vinayan, regional manger of IRCTC, and in charge of the Trivandrum and Palakkad divisions, said that the Food Plaza at Trivandrum Central has been planned with all aspects that the Malayalee food buffs as well as the rail passengers from other parts of the country look for in a food outlet. Aspects like good service, hygiene and prompt service are the main features here, he added.

The Trivandrum Food Plaza, third after the Shoranur and Thrissur outlets, has all the good and known local delicacies on the menu, said Vinayan. "The IRCTC had planned the setting up of Food Plaza in such a way that the best of brands, good service and professionals in the business were roped in," he said.

With a seating capacity of 72 plus on each floor, this three-floor outlet serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. While the vegetarian food is taken care of by the city-based Hotel Amrita, the non vegetarian menu is served by the Sindhoor hotel.

These apart, the Food Plaza has separate sections where noodles, pastries, sweets and cakes are available. Cakes, pastries and sweets come from famed names like Supreme, Nikita and Nandini Sweets.

Further, fresh juices are also available, courtesy Neetu's Kitchen, the firm which has good experience in serving the railway passenger across the country for several years. The licensee agreement for the Food Plaza is with the Royal India Marketing Company.

He added that the total employee strength is 110 at the Food Plaza. The price of food items is also extremely competitive, with just a difference of around 50 paise to Re 1 from what is normally available on the platform.

He added that with the launch of the Food Plaza in Thiruvananthapuram, the IRCTC is now concentrating on its next outlet in Kerala. The next one would be opened by March-end at the Ernakulam North railway station, Vinayan said.