Now order food by WhatsApp: Indian Railways starts new service

Indian Railways’ PSU, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) on Monday introduced e-catering services for the passengers through Whats App to make its e-catering services more customer-centric.

Are you travelling by train and want to order food during your journey? Now, you can do it through WhatsApp. Indian Railways’ PSU, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) on Monday introduced e-catering services for the passengers through WhatsApp to make its e-catering services more customer-centric.

FILE - This Feb. 19, 2014, file photo, shows WhatsApp app icon on a smartphone in New York. Ireland has fined WhatsApp for breaching strict European Union privacy rules by forcing users to consent to allow their personal data to be used to provide “service improvements and security.” The Data Protection Commission issued a 5.5 million euros ($5.9 million) penalty in the case on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)(AP)

IRCTC was already serving the customers via its website www.catering.irctc.co.in and e-catering app Food on Track.

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The Railways has started Business WhatsApp number +91-8750001323 for the purpose. WhatsApp communication has been implemented for e-catering services on selected trains and passengers and based on customer feedback and suggestions, Railways will enable the same on other trains too.

The Railways in its press statement explained the process of how the passenger can order the food via WhatsApp while travelling.

1. While booking the ticket, a message will be sent to the customer from the business WhatsApp number for opting for e-catering services through clicking the link www.ecatering.irctc.co.in.

2. After landing on the website, the customers can book the meals from the restaurants of their choice available at stations enroute directly from the website.

3. After this, WhatsApp number will be enabled as a two way communication platform. An AI power chatbot will handle all queries of e-catering services for the passengers.

The railways in its statement stated that around 50,000 meals are being served in a day to the customers through IRCTC’s e-catering services.

Last year, an online platform Zoop India partnered with WhatsApp chatbot solutions provider Jio Haptik Technologies Limited for delivering food to passengers in train.

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The passengers by their PNR numbers can use the WhatsApp-based self-service food delivery platform to place food orders and get their deliveries straight to their seats with real-time order tracking, feedback and support, the company said in a statement.