IRCTC Introduces E-Pantry Services On Mail And Express Trains To Streamline Onboard Catering
New Delhi: To enhance passenger convenience and address long-standing concerns over food quality and pricing, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced to launch its e-Pantry service for mail and express trains soon. Previously available only on premium trains, this digital meal booking system is now being extended to regular long-distance services, starting with a pilot run on the Vivek Express (22503/04), India’s longest train route.
According to IRCTC, this initiative aims to offer passengers the ease of pre-ordering hygienic, fixed-price meals through its website, eliminating the need to rely on unauthorised vendors or face inflated prices during travel. “To address these challenges, IRCTC, in consultation with the railways, has launched the e-Pantry service – an innovative, digitally enabled solution for pre-booked meal supply on mail, express trains running with pantry cars,” said a statement from the IRCTC on Sunday.
How the E-Pantry Works
Passengers holding confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets can use the IRCTC platform (www.irctc.co.in) to pre-book meals while booking their train tickets or through the “Booked Ticket History” section. After successful booking, passengers will receive a Meal Verification Code (MVC) via SMS or email, which is then shared with pantry staff during the journey for seat delivery.
Meals will be provided by IRCTC-authorised licensees only, ensuring control over quality and eliminating unauthorised vending, a frequent complaint among travelers. Key features and benefits include standardised, fixed-price meals with no hidden charges, cashless transactions through online payment options, contactless delivery to passenger seats by pantry staff, transparency and accountability via digital dashboards, and refunds available if meals are not delivered as booked.
The service will also include essentials like Rail Neer bottled water, and all transactions will be monitored to ensure compliance with quality and tax norms.
Following the pilot run on Vivek Express, IRCTC plans to roll out e-Pantry services to 20–25 additional mail and express trains in the coming months. The feedback from the initial implementation will guide further expansion across the Indian Railways network.
This move comes amid rising demand for clean, affordable meals on long-distance trains, where catering options have traditionally been limited compared to premium services like Rajdhani and Shatabdi.