Railways – IRCTC Expands e-Pantry Service on Express Trains
Railways – The Ministry of Railways’ tourism and catering arm, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, has rolled out its e-Pantry facility across a wider network of Mail and Express trains, marking a significant step toward modernizing onboard food services.
Digital Meal Booking Gains Momentum
According to a senior IRCTC official, the recently introduced e-Pantry feature has drawn strong interest from passengers traveling on Mail and Express trains equipped with pantry cars. Unlike premium trains where meals are often included in the ticket fare, passengers on these services typically purchase food separately during their journey. The new system allows them to book meals in advance through a digital platform.
The service was first tested on the Vivek Express, the country’s longest-distance train, before being gradually extended. At present, it is operational on 25 Mail and Express trains. Since its phased launch in April 2025, more than 65,000 meals have been ordered through the platform, reflecting growing passenger confidence in the facility.
Strong Demand for Breakfast and Dinner
Data shared by IRCTC indicates that breakfast and dinner have been among the most frequently ordered items, with each crossing 17,000 bookings. Morning and evening tea orders have also been substantial, exceeding 8,000 each. Lunch services recorded over 15,000 bookings during the same period.
December 2025 saw the highest monthly demand, with approximately 16,500 meals ordered. A significant portion of these bookings came from Train Nos. 12649-50 and 12629-30, operating as the YPR Sampark Kranti Express, which alone accounted for around 8,300 orders.
Officials say these figures highlight the increasing preference for pre-booked, assured meal delivery over onboard purchases.
How the e-Pantry System Works
The e-Pantry facility is integrated into the official IRCTC ticketing website. Passengers holding confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets can opt for meal booking while purchasing tickets or later through the “My Transactions” section under booked food history.
After placing an order, passengers receive a confirmation message along with a Meal Verification Code via SMS or email. On the day of travel, this code must be shared with pantry staff to receive the meal at their seat. This verification process ensures that the food reaches the correct passenger and minimizes errors in delivery.
The menu includes breakfast, standard vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals for lunch and dinner, as well as Rail Neer bottled water. Payments are completed online using digital methods, removing the need for cash transactions during the journey.
Transparency and Passenger Safeguards
IRCTC has introduced digital dashboards to manage meal orders in real time. Officials state that this system improves operational transparency and strengthens accountability, while also ensuring compliance with taxation requirements.
Importantly, the corporation has clarified that passengers are eligible for refunds if meals are not delivered as booked. In such cases, cancellation and refund details are communicated through SMS or email, offering clarity and documentation for travelers.
Part of Broader Digital Push
Railway officials describe the expansion of e-Pantry as part of a broader effort to improve passenger convenience through technology-driven solutions. By allowing advance meal booking and verified seat delivery, the initiative aims to streamline catering services on long-distance trains.
As digital adoption increases across sectors, IRCTC’s move is seen as aligning railway services with the government’s Digital India vision. With encouraging booking numbers and positive feedback, the corporation is expected to further expand the service to additional routes in the coming months.