Indian Railway passengers have something to cheer about.
IRCTC has introduced a new e-pantry service that lets travelers pre-book food and drinking water online and get it delivered directly to their train seat.
This service has started on 25 mail and express trains and is meant for trains where meals are not included in the ticket fare.
The aim is to make train journeys more comfortable by using technology to solve a common travel problem—finding safe food on the go.
IRCTC, which handles catering, tourism, and online ticket bookings for Indian Railways, says this step is part of its plan to improve passenger convenience.
How the IRCTC E-Pantry Service Works
The e-pantry option is available on the IRCTC website and mobile app.
Passengers with confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets can order food and Rail Neer packaged water while booking the ticket or later from the “Book Ticket History” section.
Once the order is placed, passengers receive a confirmation message along with a Meal Verification Code (MVC) through SMS or email.
On the day of travel, the passenger simply shows this code to the onboard vendor, and the meal is delivered straight to their seat.
Trains Where E-Pantry Service Is Available
The service was first tested on the Vivek Express (22503/04), one of the longest-running trains in India.
After receiving a positive response, IRCTC expanded it to more trains.
Some major trains offering the e-pantry service include:
Swatantra Senani Express
Swarnajayanti Express
Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express
Mangala 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
Purushottam Express
and several other mail and express trains.
Why This Service Is Useful for Passengers
The e-pantry service is a big relief for passengers traveling on trains without onboard catering.
It ensures clean, hygienic, and pre-booked meals, reducing the need to depend on station vendors or carry food from home.
IRCTC has confirmed that the service will be expanded to more trains in the future based on passenger feedback and demand.
