Indian Railways Update 2026: To make passenger journeys more comfortable, the Indian Railways (IRCTC) has launched the e-Pantry meal booking service. Currently, this service has been launched on 25 major mail and express trains, where meal charges are not included in the ticket fare. With this service, passengers will no longer need to disembark at the station to search for food or wait for vendors; instead, they will be able to book their favorite meals in advance.
What is the e-Pantry Service
The e-Pantry service is a digital facility designed for trains that have a pantry car, but food is not a mandatory requirement. According to IRCTC, passengers with confirmed, RAC, or partially confirmed tickets can avail of this service. Through this, passengers can pre-book a standard meal and a Rail Neer (water bottle), which will be delivered directly to their seat or berth by pantry car staff.
Key Features of the e-Pantry Service
The e-Pantry service has been completely digitalized and transparent to ensure no inconvenience to passengers. Passengers can book meals online before or during their journey, eliminating the need for last-minute hassles. Cashless payment options are provided to simplify the payment process, eliminating the hassle of carrying cash.
To ensure accurate delivery of food, a Meal Verification Code (MVC) is used, which passengers must share with the vendor upon delivery. All orders are tracked through a digital dashboard, ensuring transparency and compliance with tax regulations. If food is not delivered due to technical reasons, passengers are entitled to a refund, which will be notified to them via email or SMS.
Process to Book an e-Pantry Meal
Booking meals through e-Pantry is extremely simple. Passengers can visit IRCTC’s official website, www.irctc.co.in, and select the ‘e-Pantry Meal’ option at the time of ticket booking or in the ‘Booked Ticket History’ section.
Upon successful booking, a confirmation message containing a ‘Meal Verification Code’ (MVC) is sent to the passenger’s registered mobile number and email. On the day of travel, when the vendor brings the food to your seat, all you need to do is show the code, and your meal will be delivered to you.
Rail Travel Now More Convenient
IRCTC states that the primary purpose of this service is to provide relief to those traveling on mail and express trains who are unable to carry food from home. This facility not only assures passengers of the quality of the food but also relieves them of the worry of food during the journey. Through e-Pantry, passengers now have the option to plan according to their appetite and preferences.
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Vikram Singh
Author at TimesBull covering breaking news and current affairs.
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