India’s third Train Restaurant in Margao to have full-fledged opening post-Ganesh Chaturthi

NP NEWS NETWORK

Goa (Margao) Tucked between two platforms, a condemned coach of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited is all set to become India’s third train restaurant. The first two being in Bhopal and Jaipur, this project located at Rawanfond in Margao would be the third one, and the second one to be run by a private firm.

Goa-born and bred Amey Naik will rub shoulders with Tata’s and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation when his restaurant ‘Margao Central’ would be formally launched after this Ganesh Chaturthi.

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The condemned pantry coach of KRCL which otherwise would have found its way to the scrap yard has gone through Rs 1.4 crore make-over to be multi-cuisine train restaurant.

It is more than two-years-long hard work that will finally bear fruits when the project would be inaugurated after Ganesh Chaturthi. Amey recalls how the coach was in really bad shape when he won the contract to turn it into the restaurant through a proper bidding process of KRCL way back in November 2016.

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Surprisingly, Amey has no formal training in hospitality but instead is a degree holder in Electronics and Communication Engineer at Gogte College at Belgaum.

“One of the close family friends used to pass this side and had seen the coach which was converted into a restaurant by one of the contractors. It was not well maintained and railway authorities wanted to bid it be run on a professional basis. That’s when I came in the picture,” said Amey.

Margao Central is currently undergoing a soft launch and the response of people is amazing.

The interiors of the coaches have been modified giving it a proper airconditioned restaurant look. So those who could not afford to go on Palace on Wheels can surely get the experience here.

Amey says that they have been targeting middle-class families and foreigners.

“There are sittings inside the 22-meter-long coach and also outside on the platforms. 50 people can be accommodated inside and  90 more outside,” he said.

The place has already started getting recognition as a party venue with birthday parties being held here.

Amey expects that in the years to come, his place would be a ‘must visit’ for the people who come to Goa.