Experience dining on rails 24x7 at Bopal-Ambli Station in Ahmedabad

In a move aimed at blending railway heritage with contemporary hospitality, Western Railway’s Ahmedabad Division is set to launch a unique dining destination at the Bopal Ambli Railway Station this April. The ‘On the Track Restro and Café’, developed inside a refurbished train coach along with an adjoining open-air space, will offer a total seating capacity of 154 and operate round the clock.

According to officials, the restaurant will accommodate 64 diners in the air-conditioned coach, designed to replicate the experience of sitting inside a train compartment, while the remaining seating will be arranged in an outdoor section. The facility is expected to cater not only to railway passengers but also to residents in the surrounding areas, offering a new venue for casual dining as well as late-night outings.

The multi-cuisine restaurant will function as a 24x7 food hub, a feature that railway authorities believe could contribute to the emergence of a “night culture” in this part of the city. Takeaway counters operating throughout the day and night will also be available for customers on the move.

The project forms part of a broader initiative by the Ahmedabad Division to introduce ‘rail coach restaurants’ at key railway stations across Gujarat, including Mehsana Railway Station, Bhuj Railway Station, Gandhidham Railway Station and Sabarmati Railway Station, in addition to Ambli Road.

Under this concept, decommissioned train coaches are repurposed into themed dining spaces, allowing visitors to enjoy the ambience of a railway journey without travelling. Railway officials said the initiative is intended to enhance passenger amenities while also generating non-fare revenue.

Each restaurant will be equipped with a full-fledged kitchen and a menu catering to varied tastes, including local delicacies as well as popular Indian and international cuisines. Plans are also underway to incorporate family-friendly features such as dedicated play areas for children.

The rail coach restaurant model has already found success in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Indore. In Gujarat, a similar concept ‘Trackside Tadka’ was launched in Rajkot in November 2023, offering a mix of cuisines including Punjabi, Chinese and Kathiyawadi dishes.

Railway authorities said the projects have been tendered under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with private operators responsible for refurbishing and managing the facilities. The Ahmedabad Division plans to expand the concept to additional stations across the state if the initiative receives a positive response.