The Ministry of Railways has decided to start trial of e-catering service in trains. Its PSU, Indian Railways Catering &Tourism   Corporation (IRCTC), has been entrusted with the job of implementation of this service. IRCTC on a trial basis is starting e-catering services on a few trains on Delhi – Amritsar section from today i.e. 25^th September 2014. This is a service where a passenger will be able to place an order for a meal, to be served at his seat in the train enroute, through a phone call or an SMS. Formal launching of e-catering service will be decided on the success of the above trial.

This service has started, on a trial basis, w.e.f. 25^th September 2014, only in the Delhi – Amritsar section in six pairs of trains, which are:

15707/15708 (Katihar-Amritsar Exp),

11057/11058 (Amritsar-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Exp),

12497/12498 (Shane Punjab Exp),

14037/14038 (Delhi-Pathankot Exp),

12459/12460 (New Delhi-Amritsar Exp) and

14673/14674 (Shaheed Exp)

These trains are without Pantry Cars.

During this TRIAL, passengers will be served food at the five nominated stations viz. New Delhi, Delhi, Nizamuddin, Amritsar and Ludhiana only.  Passengers may order for breakfast and meals (thalis) only, both Veg and Non-Veg. 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 to send an SMS to the dedicated numbers, with the PNR number, for e-catering service. Services will be available only for the confirmed PNR numbers.

ORDER THROUG A PHONE CALL

One may make a call to 1800 1034 139 (Toll free) or 0120 4383892-99 (8 lines) to book a meal. For placing an order by making a phone call, the passenger will have to give his PNR number first which will be verified (about its confirmation status, train no., coach no., seat no.). The passenger will thereafter be advised about the available menu e.g. Veg Thali, Non-Veg Thali, Veg Breakfast, Non-Veg Breakfast etc. along with their prices. The order will thereafter be taken as per preference and availability along with his mobile number and email-id.

ORDER THROUGH SMS

One may send an SMS to 139 along with the PNR number to book a meal.

The format of the SMS will be: MEAL (SPACE) (PNR)

Once the SMS is received the PNR number will be verified (about its confirmation status, train no., coach no., seat no.) and the passenger will be contacted with the details of menu available e.g. Veg Thali, Non-Veg Thali, Veg Breakfast, Non-Veg Breakfast etc. along with their prices and the order will then be taken as per preference and availability.

 Once the order is taken, either through a phone call or an SMS, the confirmation of the order will be sent to the passenger through an SMS and also an e-mail stating the detailed item wise order, the PNR no., the train no., Coach/Seat no. and the billed amount. An SMS and an e-mail will also be sent to the respective Food Plaza/Catering Unit about the order with the above details. The food will be served on CASH ON DELIVERY (COD) basis i.e. the passenger will be served at the station at his seat in the train and the payment will be received on giving the bill.The minimum booking period or the lead time will be 2 hours i.e. a passenger can place an order to be served after at least two hours from the time of placing the order.

The above scheme will be started on a Trial basis and it will be launched on other trains only on its success.

AKS/HK/KD/RV