The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has issued an advisory to catering license holders directing them to adopt emergency measures to ensure uninterrupted food services to passengers amid concerns over possible disruption of supplies due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
In a letter dated March 10 (Tuesday), IRCTC has asked food courts, refreshment rooms and Jan Ahaar outlets at railway stations to switch to alternative cooking modes in case of any shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The warning was issued as a precautionary step amid concerns that conflict in West Asia could impact energy supplies and logistics, potentially impacting the availability of liquefied petroleum gas used by catering units.
“In light of the recent international conflicts in West Asia affecting regional stability and commercial LPG cylinder supplies, it is imperative to ensure that catering services at all food courts, refreshment rooms and Jan Ahars remain uninterrupted,” it said.
IRCTC has directed catering operators to switch to alternative cooking modes such as microwaves and induction, “to offset any possible shortfall in LPG supply” to sustain operations.
“In addition to standard food items… and other food items, you must maintain sufficient stock of ready-to-eat food items within your units to meet passenger demand,” she said.
IRCTC said the measures are aimed at ensuring catering services at railway stations and preventing inconvenience to passengers in case of supply disruption. It asked food providers to inform the authorities if LPG supplies to their areas are affected or stopped on an immediate basis.
“Please ensure strict compliance with these directives to avoid any service interruption to traveling passengers,” the warning read.
The government moved on Tuesday to restrict natural gas supplies, prioritizing households receiving pipelined gas and CNG-powered vehicles, as conflict in West Asia disrupts shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
