To enhance its e-catering portfolio, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is aiming to tie-up with a chain of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This group was started by the NGOs, having 10 to 20 local women? or men? (majority women) and are located in many places in India. Now, the women associated with this organization will show their culinary skills in the Indian Railway Department?.

All the registered SHGs will be displayed on E-catering websites with their menu and prices. Passengers will have the choice to choose a meal or snack items offered by this group and place the order. It will assist in the sustainable development of SHGs. Dr. A.K. Manocha, IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director (MD) said,

“The proposed association with SHGs is part of our plan to empower women. The initiative aims to develop and ensure all-inclusive growth”.

The country has at least one Crore SHGs and mostly operating in rural and semi-urban areas with 10 to 20 members per group. IRCTC is planning to partner with some of them, which are preparing food items. At present, an organization delivers e-catering service in all the trains passing through the most important 45 station of Indian Railways. It also renders food to 1516 trains without pantry cars.

Apart from IRCTC Food Plaza and IRCTC Fast Food Units, it has already allianced with KFC, Foodpanda, Street Foods, Domino’s, Wimpy, TFS, Jan Aahar, Mio Amore, Alibaba, Cafe Lite, Hello Curry and Ratna Cafe. Through this remarkable service, passengers can munch the food of their choice at a reasonable price, while travelling. There are several options by which they can place their order, such as:

• Book online at www.ecatering.irctc.co.in
• By making a phone call to 0120-2383892-99 or the toll-free number at 1800-1034-139 or 1323.
• Passengers can also send SMS on 139 by mentioning details of their PNR and seat number.
• The mobile app “Food On Track” is also now available for booking too.