Mumbai: IRCTC to bring back e-catering for railway passengers

During pre-COVID days, IRCTC clocked an average 20,000 online food orders a day

It's time to pamper your taste buds during long-distance rail travel after a gap of almost a year. As the unlock phase gains momentum, IRCTC, the catering and tourism arm of Indian Railways, has announced restart of its e-catering services on special trains from next month.

During pre-COVID period, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation would clock 20,000 food orders a day. The facility allowed passengers to call for food of their choice from reputed brands and have local delicacies, through phone or online, and get it delivered to their seats.

The service was suspended on March 22, 2020 after a nationwide lockdown was imposed to check the spread of COVID. With the gradual resumption of services and amidst the new normal wherein IRCTC is serving only ‘Ready To Eat' meals to passengers on trains, there has been an increased demand for resumption of e-catering services. "The company is starting the first phase of e-catering services from February 2021 wherein the service shall commence over 30 railway stations catering to approximately 250 trains," a spokesperson said.

"Passengers can book through the ‘Food On Track' app or www.ecatering.irctc.com or place orders through phone number 1323 that is being restored. For the convenience of passengers, the option of cash on delivery has also been provided," he added.

Thirty
No. of stations that will be a part IRCTC's e-catering service in the first phase