Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 12: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has rolled out its e-pantry service, allowing passengers on 25 Mail and Express trains to pre-book meals online, marking a significant step towards digitising onboard catering and improving passenger convenience on non-catering routes.

The service enables travellers to order meals digitally and receive them directly at their seats during the journey. IRCTC, the hospitality and tourism arm of Indian Railways, said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernise passenger services and enhance travel comfort through technology-driven solutions.

How e-pantry works

Integrated with the IRCTC ticketing platform, the system allows passengers holding confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets to pre-order standard meals and Rail Neer either during booking or later via the “Booked Ticket History” section.

Passengers receive a confirmation along with a Meal Verification Code (MVC) via SMS or email. “On the day of travel, the MVC is shared with the vendor, who then delivers the pre-ordered meal directly to the passenger’s seat,” IRCTC officials explained.

Key features

The e-pantry service allows cashless transactions, verified delivery through MVC, and real-time tracking via digital dashboards. A refund mechanism ensures passengers can claim reimbursement if meals are not delivered as per booking, with updates sent via SMS, email or WhatsApp.

Pilot and expansion

The service was piloted on the Vivek Express (Train Nos. 22503/04) and, following its success, extended to 25 trains, including Swatantra Senani Express, Swarnajayanti Express, Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express, Mangaldweep Express, Kalinga Utkal Express, Pushpak Express, Paschim Express, Netravati Express, Grand Trunk Express, Poorva Express, Lichchivi Express, Azad Hind Express, Malwa Express, Ahmedabad–Barauni Express, and Purushottam Express.

Passenger benefits and future plans

Officials highlighted that the system ensures access to hygienic meals, reduces uncertainty from onboard vendors, and strengthens accountability. IRCTC indicated that the service could expand to additional trains depending on passenger response and operational feasibility, reinforcing its commitment to improving catering services and the overall travel experience across Indian Railways.