Voice Of A Customer: Overcharged For A Railway Meal, He Raised The Issue And Got His Money Back
Courtesy:�Neelabh Khanikar

Voice Of A Customer: Overcharged For A Railway Meal, He Raised The Issue And Got His Money Back

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Most of us use the railway catering services while travelling in a train. Almost every time we pay the caterers the amount they ask, without actually enquiring about the prices.

On June 5, Monday, Neelabh Khanikar of Dibrugarh, Assam was travelling with his family from Duliajan to Dimapur by train number 13281, New Tinsukia Rajendranagar Patna Express.


Neelabh Khanikar with his family Neelabh Khanikar

During the journey, he ordered two plates of egg biryani from the pantry car of the train and was charged Rs 160 (Rs 80 per plate) for the same. He enquired if the price was according to the rate mentioned in the menu card and was told by the seller that it was. Though unconvinced, he paid the amount asked.

Neelabh went to the pantry van later and requested that the menu card is shown to him as he wanted to confirm the price of the biryani. Although reluctant, the pantry card workers handed over the card to him.

To his surprise, he found that the actual price of the biryani was Rs 63. Outraged, he raised his voice against the deceit and demanded that the extra money charged be returned to him and the other passengers.


The rate card demanded by Neelabh shows that the price of the egg biryani is Rs 63 Neelabh Khanikar

Neelabh uploaded a video of the same on Facebook, where he can be seen urging the train authorities to give the reason for charging above the price mentioned in the rate card.


Today I was travelling from Duliajan to Dimapur by train no-13281(New Tinsukia Rajendranagar Patna express). My berth…

Posted by Neelabh Khanikar on Monday, June 5, 2017


This is not the first instance that the railway catering service has charged passengers more than the price of the food mentioned in the rate card.

The Logical Indian had earlier reported another case where a passenger travelling from Visakhapatnam to Howrah in Yesvantpur-Howrah Express was charged Rs 90 for a Rs 50 meal.

Following the regular complaints by passengers of beverages and food being overpriced on trains, the Ministry of Railways had issued a rate card for the catering services on trains.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had also reviewed all the catering contracts and instructed that the companies running operations using corrupt and unethical means should be blacklisted.

Though the grievances of the passengers were addressed, it seems the practice still continues.

The Logical Indian urges passengers to always ask for the rate while ordering food on trains. It is essential, as consumers, we do not pay more than the MRP. We also request the Railway Ministry to ensure that such practices are not continued in the future.


Also read:

  1. My Story: This Is How Caterers Are Scamming Passengers Travelling In Indian Railway
  2. Indian Railway Tweets The Actual Prices Of Meals And Beverages On Trains; Know About Them
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Editor : The Logical Indian

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