Now Passengers Can Book Meals Along with Tickets on Express Trains
In a major passenger-friendly initiative, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched the e-pantry service on regular express trains, allowing passengers to book their meals at the time of ticket reservation — a feature previously available only on premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat.
This facility has been rolled out on 20 express trains initially and will soon be expanded to 100 more trains. It follows a successful pilot project conducted on the Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express. The move aims to enhance onboard service quality and offer more convenience to passengers.
Key Features of the e-Pantry Service
- Seamless Booking: Passengers can pre-order their meals while booking train tickets online.
- Wide Menu Options: Meals can be chosen as per preference and will be served at the designated station during the journey.
- Money-Back Guarantee: If the booked meal is not delivered, the amount will be automatically refunded to the passenger’s account.
Trains Where the Service Has Started
Some of the trains where this facility is now available include:
- New Delhi–Chennai Grand Trunk Express
- Hazrat Nizamuddin–Pune Express
- Vishakhapatnam Express
- New Delhi–Howrah Poorva Express
- Puri–Shridham Kalinga Utkal Express
- Amritsar–Kota Superfast Express
- Hazrat Nizamuddin–Yeshvantpur Express
Digital Payments and Passenger Convenience
According to officials, this initiative is expected to improve passenger satisfaction, especially due to the rise of digital payments. It will also help address the problem of poor food availability on long-distance trains.
With this service, IRCTC aims to make train journeys more comfortable and customer-centric, combining travel with convenient and hygienic meal options.
