If you frequently travel by train, this update from Indian Railways can make your journey far more comfortable. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced the rollout of its e-Pantry service for mail and express trains, aiming to eliminate long-standing complaints related to overpriced food, poor quality meals, and issues caused by unauthorized vendors.

To address these concerns, the Railways has expanded its digital food booking system, allowing passengers to pre-order hygienic and standardized meals directly through official channels.

Expansion of IRCTC’s e-Pantry Service

Until now, the e-Pantry facility was available only on a limited number of premium trains. However, the Railways has now begun extending this service to regular long-distance mail and express trains. In the initial phase, the service has been launched on 25 trains. Based on passenger feedback and operational performance, it will gradually be expanded to more trains across the network.

What Is the e-Pantry Service?

The e-Pantry is a digital, platform-based food booking system integrated with IRCTC’s ticketing infrastructure. Passengers can choose their preferred meals either at the time of ticket booking or after ticket confirmation. The main objective of this service is to ensure the availability of clean, quality-checked food and Rail Neer during train journeys, while maintaining transparency in pricing and delivery.

Pilot Project on a Long-Distance Train

As a pilot initiative, the e-Pantry service has been introduced on the Vivek Express (Train No. 22503/04), one of India’s longest-distance trains. According to official information, once the pilot project proves successful, the service will be rolled out on a larger scale. Passengers holding confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets are eligible to use this facility.

How to Book Meals Online?

Passengers can select the e-Pantry option while booking tickets on IRCTC’s official website. Alternatively, food can also be ordered through the “Booked Ticket History” section after ticket confirmation. Once the order is placed, authorized pantry staff will deliver the meal directly to the passenger’s seat during the journey. The entire process is digital and transparent, reducing the chances of payment disputes or delivery issues.

Key Benefits for Passengers

With the e-Pantry service, travelers can enjoy timely meals at reasonable prices. Since food is supplied only through authorized vendors, better monitoring of hygiene and quality becomes possible. The system also helps curb overcharging and eliminates problems caused by unauthorized sellers. Overall, digital integration enhances transparency and accountability.

What’s Next?

Indian Railways plans to expand the e-Pantry service in a phased manner to cover more trains. If the initial response remains positive, this facility could soon become available on most long-distance trains across the country—making train journeys more convenient, reliable, and stress-free for passengers.