Jamshedpur, June 19: In an attempt to provide clean and “safe” food to passengers at Tatanagar railway station, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has decided to set up its own food kiosks this year.

The move has been initiated to provide hygienic food to the passengers at the station itself.

On condition of unanimity, a senior officer said the corporation would sign an MoU with bidders to set up food outlets at various railway stations, including Tatanagar and Ranchi under the South Eastern Railway station in July.

Presently, the corporation maintains the rail catering and various food stalls, including food plaza, which is functioning as an extended arm of the Indian Railways.

A source at the regional IRCTC office in Calcutta said the management has decided to set up about 13 kiosks at the Tatanagar railway station.

“The private players will be invited to set up food kiosks. The outlets will sale food products and other necessary items required by the passengers,” said the senior officer.

The corporation will sign a time-bound contract with private bidders to set up kiosks at the Tatanagar as well as Ranchi railway station, he added.

“The food outlets would function for the larger interest of the passengers. The passengers will also get necessary consumer goods at different platforms,” the senior officer said.

“Within a couple of months, the passengers will get various food items at platforms.” He said.

When asked, a Delhi-based passenger Arindam Ghosh said the South Eastern Railway should take appropriate measures to upgrade catering and hospitality business at Tatanagar railway station, which attract passengers from different parts of the country.

“I visit different places in the country but the food provided to the passengers at Tatanagar is not satisfactory.” Ghosh said.

The group general manager of IRCTC, Vivek Srivastava, was not available for comment.