Outcry in Railways amid LPG crisis! Now you will not get hot food… IRCTC gave instructions to the catering units to switch to microwave-induction.

New Delhi: The nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders is now taking a toll on the catering services of Indian Railways. Due to disruption in the LNG and LPG supply chain due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, there is a huge shortage of commercial cylinders, the impact of which is most visible on the base kitchens of IRCTC. It is in these base kitchens that food is prepared for long distance trains, which is then loaded in pantry cars and reaches the passengers.

IRCTC’s quick action

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in a letter issued on March 10, asked operators of food plazas, refreshment rooms and ‘Jan Aahar’ to make alternative arrangements to maintain uninterrupted catering services for passengers during the journey. The advisory has been issued against the backdrop of escalating conflict in West Asia, which may impact the supply of commercial LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders.

“To compensate for any shortfall in LPG supply, you will have to adopt alternative methods of cooking such as microwave and induction,” the advisory said. The catering units have also been asked to maintain adequate stock of prepared foods in addition to standard packaged and cooked foods to meet the demand of passengers.

What will happen in trains?

According to railway officials, it is becoming difficult to provide freshly cooked food in long distance trains due to disruption in the cooking process in base kitchens. If the situation worsens, the Railways is considering temporarily stopping the service of cooked food in trains and giving refunds to passengers who have already booked food with tickets. At present the service is continuing, but the impact may become more severe in the next 15-20 days.

Stir in the hospitality sector too

Earlier, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and other hotel-restaurant associations had warned that due to shortage of commercial LPG in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, many establishments are on the verge of closure. They are limiting the menu, removing some dishes and adopting options like induction/coal. The government has given orders to refineries to increase production, giving priority to domestic LPG, but the commercial sector is still struggling.