Passengers on long train journeys often face overcharging and unhygienic meals, but that may soon be a thing of the past. Those travelling on mail and express trains will be able to book a meal at the time of buying the ticket – the same as premium trains.
The e-Pantry service by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is being piloted on Vivek Express (22503/04) – India’s longest-distance covering train. Based on its success, the service will be extended to more trains across the railway network, according to an official statement.
The service enables passengers on mail and express trains to conveniently pre-book standardized meals online, tackling persistent issues like overcharging and unauthorized vendors.
“To overcome these challenges, IRCTC, in collaboration with the railways, has introduced the e-Pantry service—an innovative, digitally-enabled solution for pre-booked meal delivery on mail and express trains equipped with pantry cars,” IRCTC said in a statement on June 1.
Indian Railways already provides a meal booking option for premium trains during online ticket reservations, but there has been growing demand for a similar facility on mail and express trains. Sources say that in the initial phase, the service is expected to be available on around 20 to 25 trains over the next few months.
How to Use the Service
E-Pantry is an online meal booking system integrated with the IRCTC ticketing platform. It allows passengers holding confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets to pre-order hygienic, standardised meals and Rail Neer, which will be delivered to their seats by pantry car staff.
This service offers a more organised, safe, and digital catering experience, providing passengers with peace of mind, clean meals, and an improved overall journey, according to an official statement.
To book meals through e-Pantry, passengers can select the meal option during the ticket booking process on the IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in), either on the confirmation page or via the ‘Booked Ticket History’ section.
After booking, passengers receive a confirmation message along with a Meal Verification Code (MVC) via SMS or email. On the day of the journey, they simply share the MVC with the pantry staff, who will then deliver the pre-ordered meal directly to their seat.
Highlighting the advantages of the service, IRCTC stated that it enables digital and online payments, removing the need for cash transactions during travel. Additionally, meal prices are fixed and clearly displayed during booking, helping prevent overcharging by vendors.
The service also aims to curb unauthorised vending, as only IRCTC-authorised licensees are allowed to deliver pre-booked meals, ensuring quality and safety onboard.
All orders are tracked through digital dashboards, promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to tax regulations. If a meal is not delivered as booked, passengers are eligible for a refund, with cancellation and refund details communicated via email, SMS, or WhatsApp.
