The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced QR code payment acceptance on trains in an effort to eliminate the practise of overcharging by food vendors on trains. While the service is currently only available on a few routes, IRCTC plans to expand it to other trains in the near future. Catering is included in the fare of premium trains such as the Shatabdi, Tejas, Duronto, and Rajdhani, but passengers on other trains with pantry cars must pay for their food during the journey. IRCTC vendors supply food from their base kitchen on trains without pantry cars.
Now overcharging on food items by vendors can be detected easily
The railway had received complaints that many of these vendors were overcharging passengers for food on board. While card swipe payment was already available on board, passengers were unresponsive to the idea, leaving them with only cash as a method of transaction. With the introduction of QR card payment, railways will be able to more easily detect any overcharging on food items.
The IRCTC QR code will be printed on the menu cards and the ID cards of the IRCTC vendors. Passengers can easily scan the QR code with UPI enabled app and make the payment of the due amount with their phone.
The QR code payment is presently available on Sampooran Kranti express trains.
IRCTC signed deal to provide saatvic food on train
IRCTC last month signed a deal with Govinda’s Restaurant run by Iskcon Temple Delhi, to provide Saatvic food on trains. The rollout of the plan began with Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin station and soon will be extended to other stations as well. The menu comprises Sattvic dishes like deluxe thali, maharaja thali, vegetable biryani, vegetable dim sum, paneer dim sum, wok toss noodles, dal makhani, among other items.
Passengers can place their orders at least two hours before the scheduled journey time with a valid PNR. They can either pay for the food online while placing fo the order or pay at the time of delivery.