: The ambitious Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) plan is finally ready to take off. According to railway officials, passengers can order the menu of their choice while booking their ticket online. This can be later confirmed by sitting on the train and dialing a number.

“A number of night trains do not have pantry car system as they travel less than 1,500 km, the mandatory distances to have a pantry car. Some other trains have day runs. This service hopes to cater to all types of passengers who will be traveling on these trains. The best part-the choice of booking their meal will come along with their ticket, but the payment will be accepted only after the food is served,” said a senior IRCTC spokesperson.

 

Under the ‘book a meal’ scheme, passenger reserving berths online on the IRCTC website can place an order for the food of their choice “which will be served to them once they embark on their journey”. The delicacies range from masala dosa to egg and vegetable biryani. The facility is only for those who have confirmed e-tickets. The service has started on a pilot basis in 2780 Goa Express and 2628 Karnataka Express to assess passenger feedback.