• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has temporarily halt its cooked meal services on train amid nationwide shortage of LPG due to escalation in West Asia instability. Officials said that the LPG supply disruptions are now affecting IRCTC based kitchen, where bulk of meal for long-houl journey are cooked and then transferred to pantry cars. Passengers who have already paid for pre-booked meals as part of their tickets would receive full refunds.

"In light of recent international conflicts in West Asia affecting the regional stability and supply of commercial LPG cylinders, it is imperative to ensure that catering services at all Food Plazas, Refreshment Rooms and Jan Ahaars remain uninterrupted," the advisory stated.

Strategic Shift At Base Kitchens

To mitigate the impact, IRCTC issued an urgent directive on Tuesday, March 10, instructing all station-side outlets including Food Plazas, Jan Ahaars and Refreshment Rooms, to transition to alternative cooking methods where possible.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Rejects No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker Om Birla Amid Opposition's Sloganeering

Contingency Measures For Passengers

In a formal advisory, IRCTC emphasised the need for "uninterrupted service" despite the logistical hurdles caused by the disruption of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The primary strategies include:

Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Inventory: Licensees are required to stockpile a substantial supply of pre-packaged meals to meet passenger demand if fresh cooking becomes impossible.

Alternative Fuel Sources: Vendors have been encouraged to explore electric or other non-LPG cooking solutions to maintain operations.

ALSO READ: Panic Buying: Induction Cooktops, Electric Kettles Sales Surge Amid LPG Supply Concerns

Real-Time Reporting: Caterers must immediately notify zonal authorities if their gas supply is throttled or halted entirely.

National Context: Gas Rationing

The strain on the railways follows a broader government decision on Tuesday to prioritise natural gas for domestic households (piped gas) and the transport sector (CNG). This rationing comes as the maritime conflict continues to throttle the flow of energy imports, forcing major public sectors like the Indian Railways to rethink their standard operating procedures.

Official Stance: "It is imperative that catering services remain operational. We are focused on minimising passenger inconvenience through proactive inventory management and alternate fuel directives," the IRCTC advisory stated.


Also In News