Question : Promoting Start-Up Ventures

(a) whether about 1.2 billion passengers are long-distance travellers on mail and express trains;

(b) if so, whether the Indian Railways is considering bringing gaming, internet-based food ordering services and ‘catalogue-based retailing’ in trains in partnership with entrepreneurs as part of the Government’s larger focus on promoting start-up ventures;

(c) if so, the facts in this regard;

(d) whether servers and gaming consoles may also be placed within First AC coaches to give passengers an arcade-like video game system;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the extent to which the aforesaid scheme is likely to provide business and the extent to which the Indian Railways would get benefited from this scheme?

MINISTER OF STAT IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a): Yes, Madam. In 2014-15, 1.27 billion long distance passenger travelled in Mail & Express trains.

(b) & (c): E-catering service has been introduced, through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in trains without pantry car or Train Side Vending as well as on 45 designated stations from where passengers of originating/passing train can avail of this facility. IRCTC has tied up with renowned, reputed and established brands in the field of catering services so that the passengers can order good quality and hygienic food of their choice on payment basis. There is no proposal to bring gaming in the coaches for the present.
(d): No, Madam.
(e): Does not arise.
(f): To proliferate e-catering services, this scheme is being extended to all A1 and A category Railway stations. The revenue sharing ratio between Railway and IRCTC is 15:85%.

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