'Litti-chokha' stall opened at Patna Junction

July 24, 2011, Patna: Under the new catering policy, ECR GM K K Srivastava on Saturday inaugurated a `litti-chokha' stall at platform no. 1 of Patna Junction on Saturday for the benefit of those who like this Bihari delicacy.

Earlier, the stall selling `litti-chokha' was inaugurated at Patna Junction on March 27, 2006, at the instance of the then railway minister Lalu Prasad. However, this stall was closed a few years ago due to some reasons, sources said.

Inaugurating the stall, Srivastava said that the Railway Board, which has taken over the catering services from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), under its new catering policy, intends to popularize this delicacy, particularly in Sawan month when the rush of passengers at Patna Junction is heavy. This delicacy would fulfill the needs of the people. Besides, special care has been taken to prepare 'litti-chokha' free of garlic and onion in view of Sawan month as most of the devotees do not prefer it during the period, the ECR GM said, adding the railways would open such stalls at all major stations falling under the ECR.

According to divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur, L M Jha, two pieces of `litti' with `chokha' would come for Rs 5 only while two pieces of 'litti' with 'chatni'and 'channa' have been priced at Rs 6. The railways would maintain the quality and taste of this popular dish. Special care will be taken of proper hygiene while preparing `litti-chokha'. Keeping in mind the huge demand for this delicacy, the railways has planned everything accordingly, Jha said.

The DRM said that while this stall has been opened at platform no. 1, efforts be made to make it available at other platforms, too. About 234 passenger trains are passing through Patna Junction these days daily. Thus, demand for 'litti-chokha' would be high in future, Jha added.

He said that the railways has arranged sale of `chura-dahi', another popular delicacy of Bihar, at Patna Junction. Incidentally, the railways has been giving a serious thought to include these two popular cuisines in the railway catering service menu card to cater to the needs of passengers from Bihar on running trains, sources said.