Train passengers may soon notice a major change in how their meals are prepared during their journey.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has started using induction stoves for cooking onboard trains due to a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders.
The move comes as fuel supply concerns linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continue to affect the availability of commercial cooking gas in several sectors, including railway catering.
Despite the challenges, railway authorities say passengers will continue to receive fresh meals without interruption.
Why Has IRCTC Switched to Induction Stoves?
The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has created difficulties for kitchens that prepare food for trains, especially long-distance services.
To avoid any disruption in catering operations, IRCTC has turned to electric cooking methods.
Induction stoves have emerged as a practical solution because they do not depend on LPG supplies and can be used efficiently for preparing meals onboard.
The shift is part of contingency plans that railway authorities had already prepared in case fuel availability became a concern.
Fresh Meals Will Continue to Be Served
According to reports, IRCTC has reintroduced onboard cooking on some trains to ensure passengers continue receiving freshly prepared food.
However, unlike earlier years when cooking was done using gas-based systems, meals are now being prepared with induction stoves and other electric cooking equipment.
Railway officials have stressed that the main objective is to maintain uninterrupted catering services across the network despite the LPG shortage.
Around 60% of Train Food May Be Cooked Using Electricity
Reports suggest that nearly 60% of the meals served on trains could now be prepared using electricity instead of LPG.
This change is expected to help maintain food services on premium trains such as:
Rajdhani Express
Vande Bharat Express
Other long-distance train services
Since Indian Railways serves millions of meals every day, ensuring a steady food supply remains a top priority.
Middle East Crisis Impacting Fuel Supplies
The LPG shortage is believed to be linked to supply-chain disruptions caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Anticipating possible fuel shortages, IRCTC had earlier instructed station-based catering units to keep ready-to-eat food stocks and explore alternative cooking methods such as induction stoves and microwave ovens.
As uncertainty around fuel supplies continues, railway authorities may further expand electric cooking infrastructure across their catering network.
Could This Be the Future of Railway Catering?
What started as a temporary response to a fuel shortage could eventually lead to long-term changes in railway kitchens.
Electric cooking systems offer several advantages, including reduced dependence on LPG and greater operational flexibility during supply disruptions.
While the current transition has been driven by necessity, it may also provide Indian Railways with an opportunity to modernize its catering operations and make them more resilient in the future.
For passengers, the good news is that meal services are expected to continue normally.
The only difference is that the food may now be cooked using electricity instead of gas.
