IRCTC Launches E-Pantry Service:The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has rolled out a new E-Pantry service that allows passengers to pre-book meals online for selected Mail and Express trains.
Under the initiative, travellers on 25 Mail and Express trains primarily routes where meals are not automatically included in the ticket fare can now order standard meals and bottled water (Rail Neer) in advance and have them delivered directly to their seats from onboard pantry cars.
IRCTC Launches E-Pantry Service
For many long-distance train journeys, lack of reliable and hygienic meal options has been an ongoing concern for passengers. The new E-Pantry service tackles this by letting travellers plan ahead reducing the frustration of last-minute food purchases and uncertainty over quality or vendor availability.
IRCTC officials say the digital service will especially benefit passengers with confirmed, RAC or partially confirmed tickets, ensuring meals can be ordered irrespective of ticket
How It Works?
Passengers can select the E-Pantry meal option during their ticket booking on the IRCTC website or app and later access it through the Booked Ticket History section.
All orders require online prepaid payment which prevents any cash transactions during the journey.
After booking, travellers receive a Meal Verification Code (MVC) through SMS or email. The pantry staff will provide the seat meal when the passenger shows this code.
If the meal isn’t delivered as promised, passengers are eligible for a refund.
Full List: Trains with E-Pantry Service
Here are the 25 Mail and Express trains where the E-Pantry option is currently available:
- 22503/04: Vivek Express
- 12483/84: ASR–Kochuveli Express
- 12561/62: JYG–NDLS Swatantra Senani Express
- 12817/18: HTE–ANVT Swarnajayanti Express
- 18237/38: KRBA–ASR Chhattisgarh Express
- 12791/92: SC–DNR Express
- 12889/90: TATA–SMVB Express
- 12987/88: AII–SDAH SF Express
- 12649/50 & 12629/30: Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express
- 12617/18: Mangaldweep Express
- 18477/78: Kalinga Utkal Express
- 12779/80: Goa Vasco Express
- 12533/34: LJN–CSMT Pushpak Express
- 12925/26: MMCT–ASR Paschim Express
- 11061/62: LTT–JYG Express
- 16345/46: LTT–TVC Netravati Express
- 12615/16: NDLS–MAS Grand Trunk Express
- 12493/94: PUNE–NZM Darshan Express
- 20805/06: VSKP–NDLS Andhra Pradesh Express
- 12303/04 & 12381/82: HWH–NDLS Poorva Express
What Passengers Should Know?
The e-Pantry system operates differently from the previous e-catering system, which enables passengers to order food from partner restaurants at railway stations during their travel. E-Pantry enables all train operations through pantry car service to provide meals that will be served directly to passengers.
The launch of this project serves as a digital service solution which IRCTC uses to enhance its customer service performance, which represents a key milestone in the ongoing modernization process of India’s railway catering system.
