Mumbai: Western Railway opens 'Restaurant on Wheels' at Andheri station

Mumbai: Western Railway opens `Restaurant on Wheels` at Andheri station. Pic/WR

Western Railway's Mumbai Central Division has inaugurated a pioneering initiative, the 'Restaurant on Wheels,' at Andheri railway station, marking a significant enhancement in passenger amenities.

This unique dining experience, housed inside modified rail coaches, promises a top-notch, air-conditioned ambiance for patrons.

Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, revealed in a press release that the Restaurant on Wheels was officially opened at Andheri station on January 16, 2024. The concept involves repurposing old and unserviceable coaches into a stylish restaurant setting, mounted on wheels for mobility. This novel approach represents the first of its kind within Western Railway's suburban section, aiming to revolutionize the dining experience for railway commuters, he said.

The contract for this innovative restaurant has been awarded to M/s OAM Industries, renowned under the brand name Haldiram's. With a seating capacity for 48 patrons, the restaurant will operate 24x7, offering both a sit-down dining experience and a takeaway counter for passengers on the move.

Thakur elaborated that the fabrication work, transforming the coach into a state-of-the-art restaurant with an attached kitchen, has been completed at Andheri station. The restaurant will feature an array of sweets and snacks, showcasing the globally acclaimed offerings of Haldiram's. Additionally, a diverse, multi-cuisine menu will be available to cater to the culinary preferences of rail travelers.

Also read: Mumbai: Western Railway organises exhibition to mark completion of 125 years of its headquarters at Churchgate

Furthermore, the construction of additional 'Restaurant on Wheels' facilities is currently underway at Borivali and Bandra stations. The collective contract value for these three restaurants is estimated at Rs. 5.94 Crores, contributing to Non-Fare Revenue (NFR). Western Railway has plans to extend this innovative dining concept to more stations, including Surat, Bandra Terminus, Valsad, Lower Parel, Vasai Road, and others.

Western Railway recently organised an exhibition at its headquarters at Churchgate in Mumbai to mark the historic occasion of the completion of 125 years of its headquarters building.

"The exhibition is a remarkable amalgamation of the rich history of Western Railway, formerly known as the Bombay, Baroda & Central India (BB&CI) Railway and its historically magnificent headquarters in present day Mumbai," Western Railway said in a statement.