India Prioritizes LPG Supply to Railway Kitchens to Ensure Uninterrupted Train Catering
In a decisive move to address cooking gas shortages impacting train services, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued a directive urging state-level nodal agencies to prioritize the supply of 19kg commercial LPG cylinders to railway kitchens. This initiative aims to guarantee seamless catering operations on trains nationwide, particularly for pantry cars and base kitchens that have faced disruptions due to limited LPG availability.
Enhanced Coordination for Swift Resolution
As part of a newly established coordination mechanism, contact details of state nodal agencies have been shared with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). In return, IRCTC has provided the phone numbers of its officials to state authorities, facilitating direct communication. Officials emphasized that this step is designed to improve collaboration between LPG suppliers, state agencies, and railway catering units, enabling rapid resolution of any supply-related issues.
A senior railway official stated, "State-level nodal agencies were requested to facilitate the availability of 19kg cylinders for railway kitchens. With contact details shared between both sides, any supply bottleneck can be addressed promptly."
Addressing Critical Shortages in Train Operations
The directive comes in response to alarming reports of LPG shortages affecting pantry services on several long-distance trains. Railway officials had flagged that the situation was escalating and could deteriorate further without immediate intervention to streamline the supply of commercial cylinders essential for railway kitchens. To mitigate the crisis, railways had even explored alternatives such as serving ready-to-eat meals on premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express and Rajdhani Express.
IRCTC, which serves nearly 17 lakh meals daily across India through pantry cars, base kitchens, and onboard catering units, faces significant demand, with approximately 20% originating from the western zone. The improved coordination is expected to help restore normal catering services in the coming days, alleviating passenger inconveniences.
Proactive Measures for Continuous Service
In addition to prioritizing LPG supply, licensees of catering units have been instructed to promptly inform IRCTC if cooking operations using LPG are discontinued at any unit. This allows for swift alternative arrangements to be made, ensuring that catering services remain uninterrupted despite potential fuel supply disruptions.
Railway officials underscored that the overarching goal of this move is to maintain seamless catering services for passengers, safeguarding against possible fuel supply challenges. With these measures in place, the situation is anticipated to ease, reinforcing the reliability of India's extensive railway network.
