In a visionary move, the Indian Railways is breathing new life into two once-forgotten railway coaches, now destined to become captivating theme-based restaurants at Katra and Jammu railway stations. This heartwarming initiative, named “Beautiful Restaurants on Wheels,” entails the refurbishment and enchanting transformation of vintage train coaches into quaint rail coach restaurants.
The Divisional Transportation Manager of Jammu, Prateek Srivastava stated, “Two rail-coach restaurants are being worked on in Jammu and Katra. This is a scheme of Indian Railways under which old coaches are converted into rail-coach restaurants. Tenders have been granted to two different parties”.
As per reports, the combined revenue from these two air-conditioned restaurants is projected to touch ₹50 lakh annually, with each spanning a spacious 1,600 square feet. Srivastava further added “Under this plan, we are offering these coaches to private parties to create state-of-the-art restaurants according to their own designs”.
The first coach restaurant, ‘Annapurna,’ is anticipated to welcome guests by December. Pradeep Gupta, the owner of Annapurna Restaurant, expressed, “It will take 90 days to convert a coach into a fully functional restaurant. It will be equipped with all the necessary facilities.” Notably, this pioneering concept has already been a resounding success at nine to ten major railway stations across India, including Jabalpur, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Varanasi.
These restaurants, named ‘Annapurna,’ and ‘Maa Durga,’ will also serve delectable cuisines of non-vegetarian fare, ensuring a culinary experience that caters to every palate. Surjeet Singh, a Delhi-based traveller, effused with excitement, “It will be a great addition to the beauty of the place”. Another passenger Rajiv Dwivedi, visiting the revered Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine, commended the initiative, remarking, “It is a commendable step. Hope the food quality will be excellent”.
These Food-on-Wheels restaurants promise stunning interiors and exteriors, exuding an artful fusion of history and modernity. Beyond that, display panels will offer virtual tours of various destinations in Jammu and Kashmir, showcasing their rich cultural value. This innovative project not only revitalises forgotten relics but also invites travellers to savour a taste of history, all while revelling in the contemporary comforts of a world-class restaurant.
