Rourkela: A dine-in rail coach restaurant with state-of-the-art facilities will open near the second entrance of Rourkela railway station, the first of its kind in Odisha, before Durga Puja in October.
Such restaurants were earlier opened in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
According to sources, a Kolkata-based firm has awarded the contract to run an air-conditioned restaurant in the rail coach at Rourkela railway station on 15 years lease for Rs 2.5 crore. The tender was floated by Chakradharpur railway division in January this year.
While the railways provided an old coach to the firm and also 250 square metre area at that place, the contractor has given the coach a new look. The work on its interior with a rural setting is expected to be completed this month. The restaurant will have a seating capacity of 48. Two other street food counters will also be opened near the rail coach restaurant.
This is part of Railway Board’s plan to convert overaged coaches that are no longer fit for passenger service into rail-themed restaurants. Aimed at increasing job opportunities and revenue, these restaurants will be located at tourist destinations and railway stations and will offer a variety of Indian and international cuisines.
