Indian Railways starts new service for booking meals via WhatsApp

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) has started e-catering services through a specially developed website www.catering.irctc.co.in as well as its e-catering app Food on Track.

In a step further towards making its e-catering services more customer-centric, Indian Railways has started WhatsApp communication for railway passengers to order food through e-catering services. Business WhatsApp number +91-8750001323 has been started for the purpose, according to an official statement issued today.

Initially, two stage implementation of e-catering services has been 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.

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

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

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

Currently around 50,000 meals are being served every day to customers through IRCTC’s e-catering services enabled through its website as well as app, the official statement added