IRCTC's new service: Train passengers can now order food by WhatsApp

New Delhi, Feb 06: In a bid to make e-catering services more customer-centric, Indian Railways has started a new service to allow passengers to order food from their WhatsApp account.

"In a step further towards the making its e-catering services more customer-centric, Indian Railways has recently started WhatsApp communication for the railway passengers to order food through e-catering services. Business WhatsApp number +91-8750001323 has been started for the purpose," the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) and Indian Railways' PSU has launched a dedicated website www.catering.irctc.co.in and e-catering app Food on Track for this purpose.

"Initially, two stages implementation of e-catering services was planned through WhatsApp Communication. In the first phase, Business WhatsApp number will be sending a message to the customer booking e-ticket for opting for e-catering services through clicking the link www.ecatering.irctc.co.in," the statement added.

With this option, the customers will be able to book meals of their choice from the restaurants of their choice available at stations enroute directly through the e-catering website of IRCTC without even requiring to download the App.

In the next phase of the services, WhatsApp number will be enabled to become an interactive two way communication platform for the customer wherein an AI power chatbot will handle all queries of e-catering services for the passengers and will also book meals for them.

To begin with, WhatsApp communication has been implemented for e-catering services on selected trains and passengers and based on customer feedback and suggestions, Railways will enable the same on other trains too.

The Ministry of Railways claims that it is serving approximately 50,000 meals per day to the customers through IRCTC's e-catering services enabled through its website as well as the app.

India's premier transport organization, which is an important part of the country's transportation infrastructure, is the largest rail network in Asia and the world's second-largest under one management. It has 121,000 km of rail track with 7,500 stations. On an average, 2.3 crore passengers use the service daily and this plays a significant role in the country's economy.