Northern Railway, one of India's 19 railway zones, is planning to open four train-themed restaurants across four rail stations in Delhi, the Hindustan Times has reported.

The restaurants will be set up within old train coaches and will serve railway travellers and the public.

With space to accommodate 40 guests, the coaches will be placed on artificial tracks.

Northern Railway's divisional railway manager executive advisor Prem Shankar Jha was quoted by the news agency as saying: “[This] is an effort towards sustainability as we are trying to re-use the existing coaches that are unfit for use as train coaches.

“The coaches are also being set up in a manner that people waiting for trains can have food here, and even those who are not boarding a train can enjoy these restaurants without needing to enter crowded platforms or getting a train.”

The first location opens at the Ajmeri Gate side of New Delhi railway station in late December 2023.

The other train-themed restaurants will open at Anand Vihar, Chanakyapuri and Old Delhi stations by February 2024.

National Restaurant Association of India president Riyaaz Almani was quoted by the publication as saying: “I think it will be a unique experience for the people of Delhi and it’s a step in the right direction. People are always nostalgic about trains, and it should do well.

“Railways have been known to introduce some iconic dishes like the railway cutlet and I hope people get to see some of these popular delights at their restaurants too.”