Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a massive, coordinated drive to permanently dismantle unauthorized e-catering entities operating across the Indian Railways network.
The various issues associated with unauthorized e-catering entities are:
• Severe Health and Food Safety Risks: Unauthorized entities source meals from unregulated eateries that bypass FSSAI hygiene guidelines. This includes the preparation of food in unsanitary conditions and non-compliance with mandatory medical screenings for delivery staff and kitchen workers.
• Financial and Cyber Security Threats: Unauthorized entities require passengers to input their PNR, email ID, contact numbers, and payment details (credit/debit card/UPI) to place an order, which may lead to phishing scams or expose passengers to fraud. Furthermore, if a meal is cancelled or not delivered, passengers are left with zero customer support, leading to direct financial losses without an official channel for legal recourse.
To safeguard passenger health, data privacy, and overall service quality, IRCTC is aggressively taking on the portals and mobile applications that falsely misuse its branding to trade illicitly.
Escalated Legal and Criminal Action
Moving beyond standard warnings, IRCTC has initiated legal proceedings against non-compliant operators. The corporation served a formal legal notice on February 18, 2026, which was followed by the registration of official criminal complaints on March 16, 2026, and April 11, 2026on unauthorized food delivery operators.
During the course of the special drive, the following unauthorized operators/players were identified by IRCTC for indulging in unauthorized food delivery activities and related violations. Appropriate legal action has been initiated against them in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations, and provisions of law:-
IRCTC strongly advises passengers to exclusively book their transit meals through the official IRCTC E-Catering Website or the official Food on Track mobile application or through IRCTC Authorised e-Catering Food Aggregators and vendors for food hygiene, verified billing, and secure payment processing. List of Authorised e-Catering partners are available at e-Catering Website and Mobile apps.
As part of its broader mandate-managing train and station catering services -IRCTC's e-Catering platform has set a new benchmark in passenger comfort and food convenience. IRCTC e-Catering service has revolutionized the way passengers can enjoy meals while traveling on reserved trains.
One of the key features of e-Catering is the diverse range of food choices it offers. The prices for meals are market-driven, and the menu is curated by the individual restaurant partners. This flexibility allows passengers to select from a variety of options, whether it’s a traditional Indian meal or a quick pizza, ensuring that every journey has something for every taste.
The e-Catering service offers passengers more food choices during their travel. It ensures that meals are booked in advance, with delivery directly to train coach, making it a hassle-free option for those on long journeys.
Major brands associated with E-Catering: -
Behrouz Biryani, Bikanerwala, Biryani Blues, Biryani by Kilo, Domino’s, Faasos, Firangi Bake, Haldiram, KFC, La Pinoz Pizza, Lunchbox, McDonald’s, Oven Story, Pizza Hut, Sweet Truth etc.
IRCTC has also joined hands with major food aggregators like Zomato and Swiggy to offer food delivery services on trains, featuring a diverse menu from various restaurants to suit every palate. From vegetarian delights to non-vegetarian feasts, the restaurants provide a wide range of options. With real-time tracking and dedicated customer support, passengers can enjoy a seamless experience from ordering to delivery, with prompt assistance for any queries or concerns.
As of April 2026, e-Catering operates across 400 plus stations and collaborates with over 629 direct vendors and 5604 vendors through 13 appointed food aggregators. The service is available for passengers on reserved trains, with food delivered based on their unique PNR number. In April 2026, approximately 1,55,356 (One lakh Fifty-Five Thousand Three Hundred Fifty-Six) average daily meals were booked.
