Introduction
The facility of ordering food in trains has offered passengers variety and convenience. The most crucial step in ordering food online is checking the PNR status. It is important to understand the process of ordering food online to ensure that it is delivered on time. This article discusses the steps involved in ordering food and the importance of the train PNR status.
Understanding the Process
IRCTC eCatering allows passengers to order food for themselves while on the train. You must enter your PNR number, view the food options and available restaurants on your journey, and place an order. You can also use your PNR number to explore food at a station.
Benefits of ordering food online while travelling on the train:
1. Convenience
The Indian Railways has helped to make the process of ordering food while travelling extremely easy and convenient. Passengers simply need to enter their PNR number in the IRCTC’s official portal and the meal of your choice will be delivered right at your seat.
2. Variety of options
The greatest benefit of buying food online while travelling is that it offers a wide variety of options for passengers to choose from. Whether you wish to have biryani, a sandwich, fast food or some regional delicacy, you have a lot of options to choose from. The greatest benefit of buying food for consumption through an online platform on a voyage is that it offers many options to choose from.
3. Quality assurance
Health concerns have taken over the world in the post-pandemic era, and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) does not take it lightly. IRCTC ensures that the food served to the passenger passes the necessary quality requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and is checked for safety.
4. Easy refund policy
Even though there is a strong system in place, there could still be a few instances where passengers do not receive their orders or are unhappy with the food quality. In such cases, the IRCTC has a very simple and clear refund policy. If you have not received your order or the quality of the food needs to be better, passengers can immediately request a full refund. The IRCTC website efficiently refunds the amount, ensuring a smooth experience. This policy assures the passengers of smooth processes and instils trust in the services provided.
What is the Train PNR Status
PNR stands for Passenger Name Record and is a unique 10-digit numeric code. It contains all the essential information for booking and managing a passenger’s train journey. The train PNR status of a passenger is important for the following reasons:
Planning your journey
You can plan your journey on the basis of the schedule of the train and reach the station on time by keeping track of your PNR status. This will help you to be less stressed at the last minute and adds to convenience of planning your complete travel itinerary, thus making the entire travel experience hassle-free and smooth.
Confirming your travel plans
The train PNR status tells you whether your ticket is RAC, waitlisted or confirmed. This is important because it will help you to take the steps necessary according to the status of your ticket. In case your ticket is confirmed, you are all set to go ahead with your trip. But if your ticket is waitlisted, you may have to prepare a back-up plan or continue to check the status for changes.
Group travel coordination
When tickets are booked for more than one passenger under the same PNR, checking the PNR status will tell you whether all passengers have confirmed tickets. This makes it easier to schedule group activities. This will also prevent the group members from experiencing last-minute surprises and having unconfirmed tickets. This ensures a smooth and enjoyable group travel.
Refunds and cancellation
It is important to be aware of your PNR number if you have a waitlisted ticket. This will help you check your eligibility for refunds and understand the process of cancelling your tickets if necessary.
Receiving travel updates
The PNR status also helps you stay updated about any changes in the train’s schedule or any updates in your PNR. Having this real-time information will help you in making changes to your travel itinerary. Staying updated regarding such changes results in a hassle-free as well as enjoyable journey.
Avoiding penalties
Being aware of your PNR status will help you avoid any penalties that you may incur in case of boarding with an unconfirmed ticket. The PNR status lets you know whether your ticket has been confirmed or not to avoid such hassles.
Steps to Follow for Railway Food Order
A railway food order can be easily placed by a passenger who has a valid train ticket. All they need to do is follow a few simple steps:
Step 1: PNR Status Check
PNR stands for Passenger Name Record and is a unique 10-digit numeric code. It contains all the essential information for booking and managing a passenger’s train journey. Checking the train PNR status will help you to make sure that you are travelling on a confirmed ticket and are eligible to order food on the train.
Step 2: Selecting the Restaurant
The IRCTC eCatering app will show you a list of food vendors and restaurants that can deliver to your train’s scheduled stops.
You can select the vendor or restaurant and go through their menu to choose a dish.
Step 3: Providing Delivery Details
After selecting the items you wish to order, you must provide your delivery details, including your PNR number, coach, platform number, and seat details.
Step 4: Placing the Order
The next step is making the payment. The app accepts multiple payment options, such as net banking, mobile wallets, and debit/credit cards. Passengers can also choose the cash-on-delivery option and pay after they have received the food.
Step 5: Order Confirmation and Tracking
Once the order is placed, customers will get a confirmation message with the order details and an estimated delivery time. The passenger can track the order status on the App. Passengers also receive updates via mail and SMS.
Steps to Check Your PNR Status
There are many ways to check your train PNR status, such as:
PNR Status Check using the App
Railofy’s mobile App helps passengers check their PNR status. The app shows information about the platform number of the train, its reservation number, and the coach.
PNR Status Check using Whatsapp
Passengers can send their PNR number to ‘9881193322’ on WhatsApp in order to receive updates regarding the status of their train.
IRCTC PNR Status Check via SMS
Passengers can SMS to ‘5676747’ or text ‘139’ for updates regarding their PNR status. Each message sent costs Rs 3.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
Here are some tips for railway food order that will help to make your experience of ordering food smooth and hassle-free:
Order in Advance
To ensure that your food is delivered on time, it is recommended that you place your order one hour before your estimated time of arrival at the station. This ensures that you get your order when you arrive at the station. It also helps make sure that you have a wide variety of food options to choose from.
Choose the Right Platform
When deciding how to order food, choosing from IRCTC eCatering platforms that are approved by the FSSAI is always better. This helps to make sure that your meals are safe and hygienic and meet all the safety food standards.
Look for Deals and Discounts
Sign up for offers through email, website, or mobile App to get special discounts when ordering food. These discounts help passengers stay within budget while improving their dining experience.
Pay Online
When ordering food, use online modes of payment like credit/debit cards, UPI, net banking, etc. This allows you to experience a secure transaction and removes the need to handle cash while travelling.
Conclusion
By offering passengers the option of railway food order, the Indian Railways has offered travelers a wide range of mouthwatering food options and great convenience. It is important to complete the train PNR status check before placing an order. This ensures a seamless and hassle-free dining journey. This modern approach towards dining while travelling improves the convenience for the passengers and guarantees a high quality of service.
