A pilot project to see the acceptability of this new concept would soon be launched at Patna railway junction, where eight such AVMs would be installed in as many platforms this month, informed IRCTC regional manager Rajesh Rana here yesterday.

Claiming the unique concept would be materialised for the first time in India in line with those present at railway platforms of most of the developed countries, Rana said the AVMs would not only provide pre-cooked food items in bio-degradable containers, but also hot and cold beverages at competitive prices all round the year.

He said the condition of food items, previously cooked in hygienic way elsewhere, would be monitored by expert teams daily to ensure their quality.

The provision to supply the food-packers after properly warming them would also be made in the AVMs, Rana emphasised.

Claiming that the proposed conversion of all busy railway platforms as Cooking Free Zone was in line with the newly introduced catering policy of the Indian Railways, Rana said.

He also added that following a national bidding programme, a number of reputed private companies had not only evinced interest but also bagged the orders for various stations.