Jan Ahaar returns to Sealdah station after Covid break
Times of India | 15 April 2025
12 Kolkata: Now, enjoy a meal inside Sealdah railway station for just Rs 15. Jan Ahaar, the eatery-cum-executive lounge inside the station, has reopened after five years. It had been closed during the Covid-induced lockdown in March 2020.
Jan Ahaar provides vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis or the "economy meal" for just Rs 15. The two types of meals are segregated, and even the utensils are kept separate, officials of Eastern Railway's Sealdah division said.
"Jan Ahaar is a lifeline for every traveller who wants affordable hygienic food in the comfort of a restaurant, right inside Sealdah station," said Jasram Meena, ER's senior divisional commercial manager, Sealdah. "Regular quality checks are being done to uphold the highest standard of meals," he said.
"The idea is to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their economic circumstances, has access to a dignified and nourishing meal," Meena said.
In the post-Covid era, Sealdah station has had two privately-run outlets — KFC and Neelam — and some stalls. But none of these sell food items at such a subsidized rate, ER officials said. Around 18 lakh people pass through Sealdah station every day. "Sealdah being one of the busiest suburban railway hubs, serving a diverse cross-section of travellers, Jan Ahaar's budget-friendly meals are an instant hit for them," an official said. "The facility caters to all passengers, ensuring that individuals from every socio-economic background can benefit from this essential service," he added.