MARGAO: The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. And the Konkan Railway is probably attempting to prove this adage right. After several innovations and upgradations in railway transportation and technology, the Konkan Railway has now started catering to the taste buds of food aficionados. A food court at the Margao railway station and a coach restaurant located few yards away are turning out to be a gourmet’s delight.

Step into the ‘Madgao Central’ coach restaurant located at the Ravanfond junction for a fine dining experience where, apart from a wonderful ambience, a fantastic array of culinary fares are on offer. And the names of the dishes are as enticing. Sample this: For starters one may order Madgaon Central special paneer tikka or the Mandovi Express potato cafreal, followed by Madgaon Central Goan thali or Aquem special Kombdi Peri Peri, a chicken dish.

‘Special emphasis on food, kitchen hygiene’

The North East Express Thai coriander soup and Madgaon Central fresh green salad are also among foodies’ favourites, says Amey Naik, who bagged the Konkan Railway contract for setting up and operating the restaurant in Konkan Railway’s “scrapped” compartment. Naik spent Rs 1.4 crore to modify the coach into a spectacular restaurant, a first of its kind on the Konkan Railway route.

Brainchild of the chairman and managing director (CMD) of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL), Sanjay Gupta, the coach restaurant has been attracting locals and tourists alike. “The restaurant is getting popular by word of mouth publicity alone. We offer all kinds of fares. Special emphasis is laid on food and kitchen hygiene, and customers just love the peculiar ambience,” Naik says.

At the food court at the Margao railway station, while two stalls have already started functioning, tenders have been floated for operation and management of five more stalls. Amul brand of items are being sold at one stall, tender for which was bagged by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, while the other stall is that of Domina’s Pizza operated by Jubilant Foodworks Ltd. Four stalls are earmarked for Italian, American, Indian and Chinese cuisine, coffee and bakery items will be sold in the fifth stall.

Deputy general manager, public relations, KRCL, Baban Ghatge says, “The Konkan Railway will generate additional revenue through the annual licence fees from the food court and the coach restaurants, but the objective of the idea was to offer passengers and locals quality food in a hygienic environment.”