As liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortages increase across the country due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is bracing for a potential cooking fuel crisis that could disrupt its pre-cooked meal services on trains.
The concerns came amid widening conflict in West Asia following the killing of Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other leaders on February 28 in joint US-Israeli strikes, which may affect the country’s supply of commercial LPG cylinders.
According to a Times of India reportIRCTC is considering temporarily suspending cooked meal services in trains for its passengers. The railways, according to the report, may also give refunds to passengers who booked meals during the bookings.
Railway officials told the newspaper that the shortage affects base kitchens, where meals are prepared before being loaded into pantries. IRCTC prepares up to 17 thousand meals a day.
“The problem has become serious and is likely to worsen if LPG supply continues to remain constrained. The catering services in trains depend on food prepared in IRCTC base kitchens. Any disruption in LPG availability directly affects meal preparation and supply to trains,” the official said.
He further said, “We have proposed several measures, including the option of temporarily suspending food services if the shortage continues. In such a situation, passengers who have already booked meals at the time of booking will be refunded. However, it is up to the railway committee to take a final call and issue instructions.”
Meanwhile, as concerns over a possible shortage of LPG continue, IRCTC has directed catering units at railway stations in its western zone to switch to microwave and induction hobs and maintain stock of ready meals for passengers.
In a communication issued on Tuesday, March 10, IRCTC has asked operators of food centres, refreshment rooms and ‘Jan Ahaars’ to switch to alternative measures to maintain seamless food services for traveling passengers.
“You must switch to alternative cooking modes ie microwave and induction to compensate for any potential LPG supply shortfall,” the advisory said.
Catering units have also been asked to maintain sufficient inventory of ready meals in addition to standard packaged and cooked foods to meet passenger demand.
On 10 March, the central government invoked the Essential Commodities Act 1955 to regulate the supply, availability and distribution of crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas, including LNG and regasified LNG, to ensure priority supply to critical sectors.
