IRCTC has started a new e-pantry service to make food ordering easier for railway passengers. With this service, passengers can book their meals before starting their journey and receive the food at their berth after the train begins its trip.
At present, IRCTC has introduced this service on only 25 trains. It is available only on those trains where food is not included in the ticket fare.
This facility is especially helpful for passengers traveling on trains that do not have an onboard pantry car.
How to Order Food Through E-Pantry
Passengers can order food through the e-pantry option while booking tickets online. This option is available only for passengers who have confirmed or RAC tickets.
Passengers can pre-order standard meals and Rail Neer water either at the time of ticket booking or later.
After placing the order, they will receive a confirmation message along with a Meal Verification Code (MVC) by SMS or email.
During the journey, passengers must share this MVC with the vendor, after which the ordered food and water will be delivered to their seat.
If a passenger does not receive the ordered food, they can apply for a refund under this facility.
Service Introduced on 25 Trains
This e-pantry service was first started as a pilot project on the Vivek Express (train number 22503/04), which is the longest-distance train in the Indian Railways network. After the pilot, IRCTC expanded the facility to several trains, including:
Swatantrata Senani Express, Swarna Jayanti Express, Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express, Mangaladweep Express, Kalinga Utkal Express, Pushpak Express, Paschim Express, Netravati Express, Grand Trunk Express, Poorva Express, Lichchavi Express, Azad Hind Express, Malwa Express, Ahmedabad–Barauni Express, and Purushottam Express.
