eGovWatch: eCatering service extended to 408 major railway stations

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There are four ways for booking food at stations. One has to dial 1323 and make payment on cash on delivery (COD). Secondly, one can download “Food on Track” app on Android or iOS platforms, order food and make payment either in advance or through COD. Thirdly, food can be ordered on IRCTC’s e-catering website – ecatering.irctc.co.in – make online payment in advance or through COD. Lastly, passengers can choose to SMS to 139 by giving details of their PNR and seat number. 

Railways has extended the station-based e-catering service to 408 stations giving passengers with more food choices. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) had earlier introduced the facility at 45 stations in September last year on a trial basis. It was a successful trial and we received good response. So now we have decided to extend the service to 408 major stations across the country, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will now launch station-based e-catering at all the 408 major stations in the country, expanding the IRCTC’s popular facility that allows travelling passengers to order food of their choice from leading Railway and private caterers to be delivered at the stations. The facility is only for stations and not on moving trains.

The official said the new facility has been launched in accordance with this year’s Railway Budget announcement and it is also in conformity with the Prime Minister’s ‘Digital India’ vision.

There are four ways for booking food at stations. One has to dial 1323 and make payment on cash on delivery (COD). Secondly, one can download “Food on Track” app on Android or iOS platforms, order food and make payment either in advance or through COD.\ Thirdly, food can be ordered on IRCTC’s e-catering website – ecatering.irctc.co.in – make online payment in advance or through COD. Lastly, passengers can choose to SMS to 139 by giving details of their PNR and seat number.

In order to broadbase the culinary choices of travelling passengers, the Railways has decided to involve Self Help Groups (SHGs). The empanelled SHGs will be displayed on the IRCTC’s e-catering websites with their menu and prices.

Passenger may choose meal or food items offered by SHGs and place the order. IRCTC has already collaborated with major food suppliers and aggregators like Bikanerwala, Nirulas, Sagar Ratna, Sarvana Bhavan, Haldiram, Street Foods, KFC, McDonald, Domino’s and Pizza Hut. Besides e-catering, IRCTC makes available meals supplied by its own Jan Ahaars (budget food), Food Plazas and Fast Food Units.

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