By Indian Railways is making a big change to how food is prepared for passengers. Because there is a shortage of LPG cooking gas across the country, the railway department has asked its caterers to stop relying only on gas cylinders. Instead, they are being told to use electric induction stoves and microwave ovens. This decision was made by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, which is also known as IRCTC. The goal is to make sure that passengers can still get their meals on time, even if gas is hard to find.
The main reason for this change is a shortage of commercial gas cylinders. This shortage is happening because of a conflict in West Asia, which has made it difficult for India to import enough fuel. Since many trains and railway stations serve food to thousands of people every day, they need a lot of gas to cook. By switching to electric cooking, the railways can keep their kitchens running without worrying about empty gas cylinders. This is a smart move to keep the food service smooth and uninterrupted for everyone traveling.
IRCTC has sent a message to all the people who run food stalls and kitchens at railway stations. These places, like Jan Aahar and other food plazas, have been told to keep extra stocks of ready-to-eat meals. Ready-to-eat food is helpful because it only needs to be heated up, which can be done easily in a microwave. This acts as a backup plan. If there is no gas to cook fresh meals, passengers can still enjoy hot, pre-packaged food during their long journeys.
This new rule is starting in the Western Zone of the railways first, but it is expected to happen in other areas too. The railway department wants to be ready for any problem before it gets worse. By using induction stoves, the kitchens can cook faster and more safely. Induction stoves use electricity, which is more reliable right now than gas. It also helps in keeping the station environment cleaner and reduces the risk of fire accidents that can happen with gas cylinders.
For the passengers, this means that their food choices might change slightly, but they will not go hungry. Even if some cooked items are not available, there will be plenty of other options like snacks and ready-made meals. If a passenger has already paid for a meal and the railway cannot provide it, they might even get a refund. However, the main effort is to make sure that the food service continues just like before.
In short, Indian Railways is acting quickly to handle the fuel crisis. By moving from gas to electricity, they are finding a modern way to solve an old problem. This shows that the railway department is thinking about the comfort of the passengers. Travelers can feel more relaxed knowing that their food needs are being taken care of with these new plans.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has instructed caterers to use induction stoves and microwave ovens due to an LPG gas shortage affecting railway kitchens. The move aims to maintain onboard and station food services despite limited gas supplies. Catering units have also been advised to keep ready-to-eat meals as backup so passengers can continue receiving food during train journeys.
