Patna, May 22: Connoisseurs of food served on trains will be able to enjoy the same delicacies on the state roads soon. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set to open a food plaza near Mohania in Kaimur district on National Highway 2 to cater to the need of road commuters.

Sources said this venture was the first of its kind in the state. IRCTC, in collaboration with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), will open 18 such outlets in Bihar.

IRCTC will also open eateries at the HPCL outlets on Bhoothnath Road and Kankerbagh in Patna, Deedarganj in Patna City, Dehri-on-Sone, Buxar, Begusarai and Nawada. Packaged food will be available at these outlets.

A senior IRCTC official in Patna said the multi-cuisine eatery at Mohania would be built over an area of 1,670sqft and would open its doors within the next three months.

“Besides vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, the eatery will serve noodles, pastries, sweets, cakes, wafers and soft drinks,” the official said.

He added that the purpose of opening the outlet was to serve quality food to commuters at reasonable prices.

Wanderlusts, of course, are very happy with the proposed service.

“It is really good that we will get IRCTC food on national highways. IRCTC rates are not very high and the quality of food is great,” said Ramesh Chandra, a frequent long-distance traveller.

The official said: “IRCTC is committed to providing hygienic and quality food and cater to the needs of commuters on national highways. There is hardly any food available on highways. Even what is available does not serve the needs of the commuters. Moreover, most dhabas on national highways charge extra for the food they sell. The IRCTC food plaza, however, will charge exactly the price mentioned,” he added.

The official also said the motive behind the food plazas was to provide hygienic food to commuters.

“We believe the eatery will satisfy both food lovers as well as long-distance commuters on the highway. According to our survey, the food served on highways does not satisfy the commuters. They look for good and prompt service as well as a hygienic atmosphere. Our eatery will provide all these to the travellers at a reasonable price. Making profit is not a concern for us,” the official said.