Low to no awareness and high cost leads to several perished packets of milk at Pune station
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Pune: In February, train travel marketplace RailYatri.in launched a milk delivery service for passengers, wherein warm milk is delivered to commuters with babies in spill-proof thermo packages. All the passengers have to do is order milk through the RailYatri app and the packets are delivered directly to the berths. But, the initiative is yet to gain traction with the masses. As the unused milk packets perish at various stations, stall owners at stations say the high price of the milk packets (Rs 79 for 500ml) is to be blamed.
The Railways had come up with this initiative after a survey revealed that in over 80 per cent cases, trains were not equipped to serve baby food. According to sources at Pune station, only eight packets of milk have been ordered in the last five months and over 80 per cent of milk stocks are lying unused. The source said, "The unused milk packets have mostly perished. The authorities should have marketed this option well before stocking up. Also, a litre of milk costs Rs 42 in the market, but we are charging Rs 79 for 500 ml."
Pravashi Railway group president Harsha Shah said, "If tea is priced between Rs 10 to Rs 15, why are the milk packets – meant for babies – so costly? It was a great concept to serve baby food and products on the train, but there has to be some parity in terms of cost."
Krishnanath Patil, senior divisional commerical manager of Pune station said, "The food app has been a success. We are trying to market baby food items and products better."
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