If you often travel by train, there is great news for you. Now, you don’t need to carry food from home during your journey.
IRCTC has introduced an E-Pantry Service that lets you book your meals online in advance. During your travel, the vendor will deliver the food directly to your seat.
Earlier, this online food booking was available only in premium trains, but now it is also available in mail and express trains.
What is the E-Pantry Service and How to Use It?
E-Pantry is a digital meal booking service launched by IRCTC for passengers who face problems like overcharging, unauthorized vendors, or poor food quality on trains.
Passengers traveling in mail and express trains can use this service if the train has a pantry car. You can book meals online while booking your train ticket on the IRCTC website or later from the “Booked Ticket History” section.
After booking, you will get a confirmation message by SMS or email with a Meal Verification Code (MVC).
When the vendor delivers the food at your seat during the journey, you need to show this MVC to confirm your order. This service is available to passengers with confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets.
Benefits of Using the E-Pantry Service
You can pre-book standard meals or Rail Neer (bottled water).
Food is available at fixed prices, so no overcharging.
Payments are digital, so you don’t need to carry cash.
Only IRCTC licensed vendors supply the food.
The MVC code ensures food reaches the right passenger.
If food is not delivered, you will get a refund and notifications via SMS, email, or WhatsApp.
Pilot Launch and Future Plans
Currently, the E-Pantry service is available on India’s longest train, the Vivek Express (22503/04). Within 60 days, it will be expanded to 25 more trains (covering 100 coaches).
After successful implementation, the service will be rolled out on other mail and express trains across the country.
