Mumbai: Anticipating possible disruptions in LPG supplies, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) directed catering units at railway stations to stock ready-to-eat (RTE) food items and switch to alternate cooking modes such as microwaves and induction systems to ensure uninterrupted food service for passengers.In a circular issued on March 10, the IRCTC’s West Zone office instructed operators of Food Plazas, Refreshment Rooms and Jan Ahaar outlets to make contingency arrangements so that passenger catering services continued even if commercial LPG cylinder supplies were affected.The advisory came amid concerns that global supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia could impact the availability of LPG used by station-based catering units.The circular asked licensees to immediately adopt alternate cooking methods such as microwave ovens and induction stoves wherever feasible.Operators were also asked to maintain adequate stocks of ready-to-eat food items so that meals could be served to passengers even if conventional cooking became difficult due to LPG shortages.The directive applied to static catering units across stations under the IRCTC West Zone, which covered several major divisions, including those under Central Railway and Western Railway.Licensees were also instructed to promptly inform IRCTC if cooking operations using LPG were discontinued at any unit so that alternative arrangements could be made.Railway officials said the move was intended to ensure seamless catering services to passengers despite possible fuel supply disruptions.
