Vacation times for my children at home and my employers also agreed to give me a week off during this time. We planned to go to Delhi, Agra and also see the closing of CWG games.
My wife pointed out that every time we do not travel together. Either I go separately or the family goes separately and this time, she ensured that all of us shall travel and she decided that we shall go by train. She also clearly told me that I need to spend time with Children and I agreed to it. Browsing through all options in IRCTC, we chanced upon Duronto. Mouth shut Reviews were good and we decided to take Secunderabad Delhi Duronto.
Thanks to timely bookings, we managed to get four berths in AC III tier (my wife was frowning on AC -2 and I lied to her telling there is no sleeper class and convinced her on AC-3T).
She agreed to and started giving an accusing eye when we went to Secunderabad station yesterday and found that there are eight sleeper class coaches attached to it. Well, some how I managed to convince her and we all boarded the train. (This effect of simplicity is after we watched Gandhi movie on 2nd October).
First thing we noticed was the compartment was relatively clean and brightly lit. The toilets were also of a new design and clean. The coaches were also in good shape. The IRCTC team was doing the catering and housekeeping and they were smiling politely all through.
Next, came the distribution of water bottles. Well, surprsingly you have the option to take a ’chilled one’ or a ’room temperature one’. We opted for normal ones and sort of settled in the berths.
Next within half an hour the lunch service started. First came the soup service, tomato soup with Soup sticks and an Amul butter. Well, children relished and we also enjoyed the soup. within half an hour, the lunch service began. The quality of food was not so great and after having a hevy break fast, I for instance, did not take a lunch plate.
Food was of decent quantity, Rotis, Jeera Chaval, Nestle Dahi, pickle, Dal/Sambar, Palak Paneer followed by ice cream. Well I also noticed that most of the people also left the plates half eaten. The tray had nice ’inlaid IRCTC meanu charts’ and every compartment had a different coloured trays for serving.
Next, came the chai service at 5 p.m.. You had a sandwitch, One Kachori (few got samosas), sauce packet, and a slice of sweet and a toffee. Well, the sandwitch was really bad and too sticky and cold. Katchori was cold and soggy (felt like biting on leather) but tea and cofee were good. Again lots of people rejected the kachori and grumbled while eating the sandwitch and left the food half eaten.
In between there was online houseekeeping staff and cleaning of compartments. They also politely removed all wastes and rolled napkins and also wet mopped the compartments.
Next came the dinner service around 8.00 p.m. Food was totally bad. Even the trays now contained cut newspapers instead of IRCTC printed menu cards. The quality of food was so pathetic, that you need strong pangs of hunger to eat it. Nestle Dahi was replaced by IRCTC cup Dahis with a alminium wrapping on the top and was totally sour. So was the case of Paneer subji or Sambar/dhal with a bland taste. The Rotis served had dripping oil from it. Well again I found that most of the people ate little and threw out a lot. The ice cream was replaced by Gulab Jamuns in dinner.
Curiosity led me to see what they do with the left-overs. The guys were simply sitting in vestubile path and stuffing the left ours and throwing out into the open rails through small holes in between the joining plates.
Today morning, the tea services started by around 6.45 a.m. Early raisers who went to brush and were carving for this magic liquid were given teas in the service area and not inside the compartment. Tea was followed up with a small pack of biscuits. With poor dinner, morning tea was well received.
To mention now , the quality of toilets were bad in the morning and we complained to the coach attendant. He immediately arranged for cleaning of this and within 10 minutes, the toilets got a good shape and fragrence.
The train stopped at Jhansi for loading of breakfast. Food consited of Upma and Vada and a piece of bun for vegetarians and omlette for non-vegetarians ( and also an English newspaper). The breakfast was loaded in Jhansi (i think it was Jhansi, but it may be different station also) was good. The chutneys looked like that some powder was dissolved in water to make it and tasted bad. I trust the hunger levels were good in the morning after a bad dinner from Ballarsha kitchens and people simply ravished the breakfast. First time did not see any wastage in the train. A tea coffee service followed once again.
Come 10 O Clock the coach attendant started coming and collecting hand towels. I curiously asked him, why he is specific with collecting Hand towels and he said, this is one item, maximum of passengers carry home and do not give. Well, we Indians have to learn to be decent. and change our habits.
Next came the service staff, with a tray full of sounf and chocolates and asking for small contributions. Well, while everybody contributed, the contribution was not great on account of bad dinner previous night. They also put a small pla-card on the tray telling that ’Compliant book is available with Guard’.
I feel, that they should have put this card the previous night when dinner was served and they would have received honest responses. Putting this card when your destination is only half and hour away makes no sense.
The train also reached Hazrat Nizamudin Station about half an hour behind scheudle.
Well Ladies and Gentlemen, While I half enjoyed the journey, I would like to put out two things.
The service is good, the concept is new, the coaches are good and comfortable. The upholstry was also new and was well maintained. Hats off to Union Railway Minister for this.
The quality of food is so bad. Given a chance, we can differentiate which Department kitchen is good and which is bad while travelling in the train.
Today, a middle class passenger is shelling about Rs.400/- extra per ticket for this Duronto travel. Whether is he getting the money’s worth?
In respect of time saved and comfort, yes, there is a value.
In respect of quality of food, no there is no value.
It also pained to see so much of food wasted and getting thrown away because of poor quality. Who is ultimately gaining? Neither Railways, nor the middle class passenger, who is travelling, or a poor starving BPL person, who do not get a stomach full in the nights.
I hope the Railways, biggest employer in the world, realises that its food service needs improvement.
Worst, let them develop a system of user ratings to correct their service levels.
Well, in India, can we expect these miracles to happen? - Answer is No.
Thanks for the opportunity to contribute
Carlover 2010.