The Railway Ministry started e-catering service in select trains on the Delhi-Amritsar section on a trial basis on Thursday. Under the scheme, a passenger will be able to place an order for a meal, to be served at his seat in the train en route, through a phone call or an SMS. The six trains on which the service was launched do not have pantry cars.
Officials said a formal launch of the e-catering service across the Indian Railways will be decided depending on the success of the trial.
During the trial, passengers will be served food at the five nominated stations, including New Delhi, Delhi, Nizamuddin, Amritsar and Ludhiana. “Passengers may order for breakfast and meals (thalis) only. The food will be served from the IRCTC food plazas or catering units at the above stations. The passengers will have to make a call or send an SMS to the dedicated numbers, with the PNR number, to avail the service. Services will be available only for confirmed PNR numbers,” an official said.
The order can be booked on either 1800 1034 139 (Toll free) or 0120 4383892-99 or through an SMS to 139 along with the PNR number.
Once the SMS is received, the PNR number will be verified (about its confirmation status, train number, coach number, seat number) and the passenger will be contacted with the details of menu available along with their prices and the order will then be taken as per preference and availability.
The food will be served to the passenger on cash-on-delivery basis at the station at his seat in the train. The minimum booking period or the lead time will be two hours. “A passenger can place an order to be served after at least two hours from the time of placing the order,” an official said.
