Indian Railway’s contribution to the field of transportation has been noteworthy. An unrivalled global railways network, Indian Railways plays a significant role in regulating mass transits, daily commutes & economic activities, linking remote areas & assisting transportation of goods displaying significant dependence.
A large chunk of modern people show reluctance when it comes to travelling via train. Various reasons discourage passengers from choosing to travel by train, like time constraints, comfort concerns, & lack of amenities like wifi, comfortable seating, etc. Additionally, a lot of people don’t travel by train due to limited hygiene standards & the incapacity to cater to certain dietary preferences.
While developments are currently transpiring in Indian Railways, encompassing aspects like operations, safety, cleanliness, etc, the provision of e-catering has already been established.
The inception of IRCTC eCatering was an imperative step due to various reasons. First and foremost, the conventional onboard catering services offered by Indian Railways were full of limitations like food variety, quality & customisation, resulting in dissatisfied passengers.
On top of that, the advancing preferences and desires of passengers needed to be taken into consideration for convenient & diverse dining options during train journeys. IRCTC eCatering addressed these issues by providing a wide variety of food choices, customisation options, digital payment facilities & assurance of better quality through authorised vendors, resulting in a modified dining experience for travellers.
Past Hurdles in Train Catering
The past of IRCTC catering includes obstacles & evolution of catering services put forward by the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). In the beginning and for a very long time, train food faced issues like constrained selection, conflicting quality & trials & tribulations related to catering to diverse dietary preferences. The complaints were majorly related to the lack of hygiene standards & inconvenience of traditional onboard catering.
However, with time, the introduction of IRCTC meal orders has made remarkable progress in tackling these challenges.
The introduction of e-catering has revolutionised the dining experience, providing passengers with ample food options, customisation capabilities and improved quality assurance from accredited suppliers. Digital platforms also streamline the ordering process and facilitate cashless transactions, adding convenience to travellers.
Additionally, IRCTC is working to improve food quality, introduce hygiene protocols and expand menu options to cater to different tastes and preferences. These efforts have made IRCTC Catering a more reliable, customer-centric service that continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern travellers.
Evolution of IRCTC e-catering| Current Scenario
Reflecting on the journey of IRCTC e-catering, notable progress was traced, particularly through the partnerships with dominant food delivery apps like Zomato & Swiggy. The deliberate & strategic collaboration has resulted in the expansion of food service options to Indian Railways passengers, enabling them to pre-order meals so that they can be delivered directly to their seats.
With an initial launch as a Proof of Concept (PoC) at various railway stations such as New Delhi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam, the primary goal of this endeavour is to enhance customer satisfaction and expand the range of food options available during train journeys. Additionally, the collaboration with Swiggy brings added advantages for consumers, similar to Reliance Jio’s prepaid plan that includes a three-month subscription to Swiggy One Lite, ultimately elevating the overall travel experience for passengers.
Types of Food offered by IRCTC E-catering
IRCTC meal order is easy and offers a wide variety of food options, including:
- Passengers can order breakfast, lunch, snacks & dinner while travelling.
- Veg & Non-Veg Thali- Standard, Combo, Maharaja etc
- Variety of Biryanis
- Jain Food
- Pizzas
- Non-Veg Meals
- Bulk orders are available at low prices
- Beverages- Hot or Cold tea, Chaas, Buttermilk, Lassi, Coffee, etc
- Passengers can also order cakes & desserts
- Combo meals with discounts
Order food on IRCTC & enjoy a variety of food options offered by top-notch brands like Haldirams, Dominos, etc.
Why Choose IRCTC e-catering?
Passengers can now experience the highest level of convenience & satisfaction with IRCTC e-catering. Here’s a list of reasons that will help you understand why IRCTC meal order is a great choice.
- Appetising Food Options
IRCTC offers a menu that offers both regional & international options. This enables passengers to order anything from the diverse menu with just one click. This diverse range of dishes includes North Indian and South Indian soups, beverages, Italian, Pure-vegetable, non-vegetarian, and Jain food. To make sure that you don’t miss your home, IRCTC meal orders also constitute local or regional specialities. Passengers can expect regional delicacies like Dal Bhati Churma, Kachoris, Litti Chokha, Luchi, Samosa chaat etc.
- Quality & Hygiene Assurance
IRCTC makes sure that quality is not compromised, so as a result, it features restaurants that adhere to the rules of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It is ensured that the partners & food vendors apply the finest practices while preparing meals guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
- Bulk Order Available
IRCTC e-catering also lets passengers place bulk orders. This unique service is for people who are travelling in a group & want to enjoy a satisfying meal together without any complications. Whether travelling with family, friends, or colleagues, you can order from a long list of food options matching everyone’s preferences & dietary needs.
Additionally, travellers have the option to pre-order the meal and get it delivered at any particular station route.
- Delivery to your seat
Utilising IRCTC e-catering eliminates the necessity of getting up from your seat to get food. By placing an order via the online platform or app, you can have your freshly made meals brought directly to your train seat. This efficient service not only saves you time and energy but also enables you to unwind and savour your travel experience without the hassle of meal planning.
- Customer Support Available
In case of a grievance, passengers can contact IRCTC customer care number 1323. We make sure that your issues are addressed & resolved at the earliest for a top-notch train travel experience.
- Uncomplicated Ordering Process
IRCTC e-catering has simplified the IRCTC meal order process. There are multiple ways to order food on IRCTC. You can either download the “Food on Track” app by IRCTC or use their website. Alternatively, you can either place the order through their Whatsapp number or call 1323.
- Personalised Culinary Experience
IRCTC e-catering provides a unique dining experience by giving you the option to personalise your meals based on your preferences. Whether you want to pick a particular cuisine, adjust the spice levels, accommodate dietary restrictions, or choose portion sizes, you have the flexibility to tailor your dining experience to your liking. This guarantees that each meal you enjoy is not just tasty but also perfectly matches your taste preferences and dietary needs, elevating your travel experience with Indian Railways.
Additionally, IRCTC e-catering also serves Satwik, Pure Veg & Jain food, making it easier for the passengers to make the most of festivals like Chaitra Navratri, Shardiya Navratri etc.
How to place an IRCTC meal order through the website?
- Open the IRCTC e-catering website, which is-https://www.ecatering.irctc.co.in/
- Add your 10-digit PNR number.
- Select the preferred railway station for food delivery.
- Choose your favourite food from the wide range of restaurants and menu items.
- As you proceed with the payment, you can choose to pay either online or on delivery.
- That’s it. Now wait for your order as it gets delivered to you on your seat.
How to place an IRCTC meal order through the Food on Track mobile app?
- First & foremost, download the Food on Track IRCTC app which is available on both the App Store as well as Play Store.
- Add in your PNR number. Once you do that, the app will find out all the relevant passenger information like train & station name.
- Now gauge through the list of restaurants & food vendors. Add your preferred food items from renowned brands.
- Decide the station to which you want your food to get delivered.
- Choose a payment method.
- Now, wait for your order to get delivered to your set. Once you receive the order, share the delivery code with the delivery executive.
How can I place an IRCTC meal order through their customer care number?
If placing an order through an app or website seems like a tedious task, you can call IRCTC customer care number 1323. Just share all the information about your order, along with your PNR number.
Conclusion
Looking back at the journey of IRCTC e-catering, it would be appropriate to state that noteworthy progress & strategic collaborations came into view leading to a better travel experience for Indian passengers. The provision of a diverse menu encompassing international & regional options incorporated with uncompromising quality & hygiene standards makes sure that IRCTC is offering a safe & satisfying culinary experience.
Unique & convenient features like hassle-free placements of bulk orders and delivery at your seat add to the travel experience. The availability of customer support and easy ordering process using different channels showcases the Indian Railways’ genuine intention to modify the travel experience of all Indian passengers.
FAQs
- Does IRCTC eCatering offer quality food?
IRCTC partners with FSSAI-compliant restaurants, ensuring quality and hygiene standards.
- Are bulk orders available through IRCTC eCatering, and how can passengers place them?
Yes, IRCTC eCatering allows bulk orders. Passengers can place orders easily through the online platform or app.
- Can passengers personalize their meals when ordering through IRCTC eCatering?
Yes, passengers can customize their meals based on preferences like cuisine, spice levels, dietary restrictions, and portion sizes.
- What are the various ways passengers can place an order for food through IRCTC eCatering?
Passengers can order through the IRCTC website, Food on Track mobile app, or by calling the IRCTC customer care number 1323.