-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org)
In a significant boost to the digital catering ecosystem for Indian Railways, Swiggy and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have announced a massive nationwide expansion of their partnership. The “Food on Track” service, which allows passengers to order restaurant meals directly to their train berths, is now operational across 152 railway stations in India.
The expansion follows a successful initial pilot launched in early 2024, which was limited to major hubs like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, and New Delhi. With this scale-up, Swiggy’s delivery network now covers critical junctions in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, providing passengers with access to over 6,000 partner restaurants and a diverse range of cuisines that were previously unavailable through traditional pantry cars.
The service is integrated via the IRCTC e-Catering portal. Passengers can place orders using their PNR number, and Swiggy’s delivery partners ensure the food is delivered at the station platform during the train’s scheduled halt. The technology behind the partnership accounts for real-time train delays to ensure food remains fresh upon arrival.
Rohit Kapoor, CEO, Swiggy Food Marketplace, commented: “The response to our pilot was overwhelming, proving that Indian travelers are looking for quality and variety even on the move. By expanding to 152 stations, we are making long-distance travel more comfortable and culinary-rich for millions of passengers.”
Sanjay Kumar Jain, Chairman and MD, IRCTC, added: “Our goal is to provide passengers with multiple choices and a seamless experience. The collaboration with Swiggy strengthens our e-catering portfolio, ensuring that every rail journey in India is accompanied by great food.”
