Ordering food on a long train journey has never been easier, but the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has issued a stern warning. Not all food delivery apps are safe, and using unapproved services could spoil your trip.
An Official Warning for Passengers
IRCTC recently
cautioned millions of train travellers against using unauthorised websites and mobile apps for ordering meals. In a public statement, the railway body highlighted a crackdown on these illegal platforms, urging passengers to stick to official channels to ensure their safety and well-being. The warning stems from a growing number of unregulated services that claim to deliver food to your seat but operate without the necessary approvals, creating significant risks for unsuspecting customers. These platforms often misuse the IRCTC brand to appear legitimate, making it difficult for passengers to distinguish between official and fraudulent services.
The Hidden Dangers of Unofficial Apps
The risks of using unauthorised meal apps go far beyond a delayed or cancelled order. IRCTC has detailed several serious concerns. Firstly, there's a major food safety issue. These platforms often source meals from unlicensed restaurants that don't comply with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations. This can mean food is prepared in unhygienic conditions by untrained staff, posing a health risk to passengers. Secondly, your personal and financial data is at stake. When you place an order, you share sensitive details like your PNR number, phone number, and payment information. On unverified platforms, this data can be misused for phishing scams, identity theft, and fraudulent transactions. Finally, there is no accountability. If your order is wrong, delayed, or never arrives, these unofficial vendors offer little to no customer support or grievance redressal, making it nearly impossible to get a refund.
Official and Safe: IRCTC E-Catering
To combat these risks, IRCTC promotes its official e-Catering service, a reliable and secure way to order meals on your journey. This service partners exclusively with FSSAI-approved restaurants, ensuring that the food you receive is hygienic and safe to eat. The official platform provides transparent billing, secure payment gateways, and a clear system for tracking your order and handling any issues that may arise. The service is designed to bring a wide variety of food choices—from local delicacies to popular fast-food chains—directly to your seat, without any of the risks associated with unauthorised apps.
How to Order Food the Right Way
Booking a meal through official IRCTC channels is simple. Passengers have three primary methods to choose from: the official website, a dedicated mobile app, and a helpline number. 1. IRCTC E-Catering Website: Visit the official portal at www.ecatering.irctc.co.in. You'll need to enter your 10st digit PNR number, which will then display a list of available restaurants and menus for the upcoming stations on your route. 2. 'Food on Track' App: For those on the go, IRCTC's official mobile app, 'Food on Track', offers the same functionality. Available on both Android and iOS, the app allows you to enter your PNR, browse menus, and place an order with just a few taps. 3. Phone Helpline: If you don't have internet access, you can simply call the e-Catering helpline at 1323. A customer service agent will take your PNR details and order over the phone.
Authorised Partners and What to Do If You See a Problem
Beyond its own platforms, IRCTC has also authorised a few select partners, such as Swiggy and Zomato, to provide e catering services. The full list of approved partners is available on the official IRCTC e Catering website. This ensures that even when using a third party app, you are still within the safe and regulated ecosystem. IRCTC urges passengers to be vigilant. If you encounter any unauthorised food vendors at a station or on a train, you are encouraged to report them to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) by calling the helpline number 182. This helps authorities crack down on illegal operators and protect other travellers.
