IRCTC's e-Pantry Service Transforms Train Travel with Pre-Booked Meals
The age-old dilemma for Indian train travelers - whether to pack homemade food or rely on uncertain onboard options - is finally being resolved. A growing number of passengers are embracing a convenient third option: ordering meals directly to their seats through IRCTC's innovative e-Pantry service. This digital solution eliminates the stress of meal planning during journeys, offering a seamless dining experience right at passengers' berths.
How e-Pantry Works: From Booking to Delivery
Unlike premium trains like Vande Bharat, Shatabdi, and Rajdhani that offer meal selection during ticket booking, many long-distance mail and express trains traditionally lacked reliable food services. IRCTC launched the e-pantry meal booking service in April 2025 to address this gap, beginning with an experimental phase on the Vivek Express. The positive response prompted rapid expansion to 25 mail and express trains across India's extensive railway network.
The booking process is remarkably straightforward. Passengers can select the e-pantry option while booking tickets on the IRCTC website, provided the service is available on their chosen train. The system accommodates confirmed ticket holders, RAC passengers, and even those on waiting lists. After completing their booking, travelers receive a Meal Verification Code (MVC) via SMS or email, which serves as confirmation for meal delivery at scheduled stations during their journey.
Passenger Preferences: Lunch Takes the Lead
IRCTC's recently released data reveals fascinating insights into passenger behavior. Since the service's inception, more than 65,000 meals have been booked through the e-Pantry platform. Breakfast and dinner orders combined reached approximately 17,000, while tea orders (both morning and evening) surpassed 8,000. However, lunch emerged as the clear favorite, crossing 15,000 bookings and establishing itself as travelers' preferred meal option.
This preference makes practical sense for long train journeys. Passengers often seek one substantial, satisfying meal rather than relying solely on snacks or packaged foods. Lunch perfectly fulfills this need, providing nourishment during the day's longest travel stretches. The Nizamuddin–Bengaluru Sampark Kranti Express recorded the highest demand among all routes, with nearly 8,300 meal orders, as passengers consistently praised the quality and reliability of meals on this particular service.
Digital Efficiency and Growing Adoption
The e-Pantry system's success stems from its fully digital framework. All payments occur online, eliminating the need for cash transactions with onboard vendors. A sophisticated tracking system ensures accountability, with automatic refunds and notification messages sent to passengers if meals aren't delivered as scheduled. December 2025 marked the service's busiest month to date, with approximately 16,500 bookings indicating growing traveler comfort with pre-ordering meals.
This innovation addresses what has historically been one of train travel's most challenging aspects: reliable food access on routes without pantry cars. Previously, passengers either overpacked food or faced hunger between stations. The e-pantry service transforms this dynamic by providing certainty about meal timing and content. When combined with confirmed seating and scenic window views, this guaranteed meal service significantly enhances journey comfort.
The Future of Train Travel Convenience
IRCTC's e-Pantry represents more than just a meal service; it symbolizes how technology can eliminate small but significant travel worries. Sometimes the most meaningful upgrades aren't about luxury amenities but about removing everyday inconveniences. As more travelers discover the benefits of pre-booked meals, this service is poised to become an integral part of India's railway experience, making long journeys more predictable, comfortable, and enjoyable for passengers across the country.
