Infighting derails plan to open food plaza at New Delhi station

The railways have stuck to its reputation of making ambitious plans — but only on paper.One such plan was opening of a first of its kind multi-cuisine restaurant at the New Delhi railway station, reported first by this newspaper on December 2 last year.The plush restaurant project is likely to be scrapped now as it has got into a bureaucratic tussle between the Delhi division of northern railways and the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).The restaurant, which was to serve authentic delicacies from famous eateries of Delhi, all under one roof, was slated to open by December-end. But the infighting between the Delhi division and IRCTC has poured cold water over the plan.The Delhi division of the railways had planned to operate the restaurant and was in the process of opening tenders for famous food brands of Delhi to set up individual stalls.In between, the IRCTC shot a letter to the Delhi division stating that operating food plazas come under the jurisdiction of the catering and tourism arm of Indian railways and that the Delhi division has no right to serve food at stations."We wanted to open a multi-brand restaurant, where several individual food brands were to set up stalls. We have already given space to IRCTC at Ajmeri Gate side of the station to build an executive lounge. They are trying to create unnecessary hurdles," said a senior railways officer, requesting anonymity.Whereas, the IRCTC maintained that running food plazas come under their jurisdiction.The officer added, "I don't think the restaurant would come up at the New Delhi station now. Despite several efforts, no solution has been worked out till now."The 80-seater AC restaurant was to come up on 3,000 square feet area at platform number one of the New Delhi station.