IRCTC Issues Urgent LPG Advisory to Railway Catering Units Amid West Asia Supply Disruptions

India’s railway catering network may soon rely less on traditional gas stoves and more on electric cooking equipment after the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) issued an urgent advisory to its catering partners amid an emerging LPG supply crunch.

The move follows disruptions in global energy supply chains linked to escalating tensions in West Asia, which have begun affecting LPG availability in India. To prevent any interruption in passenger services, IRCTC has instructed catering units at railway stations to adopt alternative cooking arrangements and maintain adequate food stocks.

The directive particularly targets static catering units such as Food Plazas, Refreshment Rooms (RR), and Jan Ahaars operating across railway stations.

IRCTC Directs Shift to Alternative Cooking Methods

According to a circular dated March 10, 2026, currently circulating on social media, IRCTC has instructed all catering units in the West Zone to temporarily move away from LPG-based cooking wherever possible.

Operators have been advised to switch to induction cooktops, microwave ovens, and other electric cooking appliances to ensure uninterrupted food preparation in case LPG cylinder supplies become irregular.

The advisory highlights that catering outlets should remain operational at all times, given their critical role in serving millions of railway passengers daily. Any disruption in food services at stations could lead to passenger inconvenience and operational challenges for the railways.

Stations Asked to Stock Ready-to-Eat Food

In addition to alternative cooking methods, IRCTC has directed vendors to maintain adequate inventories of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food products.

This measure is aimed at ensuring that passenger demand can still be met even if cooking capacity is temporarily limited due to LPG shortages. RTE items can serve as a fallback option for catering units during supply disruptions.

The guidelines emphasise that catering licensees must remain prepared for supply volatility and ensure that food availability at stations remains stable during the ongoing crisis.

LPG Supply Pressure Linked to West Asia Conflict

The advisory comes against the backdrop of rising global oil and gas prices and tightening LPG supply chains caused by geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

India is heavily dependent on energy imports, including LPG, which makes the country vulnerable to supply disruptions during global conflicts. Any prolonged disruption in shipping routes or production from key energy-producing regions can impact domestic LPG availability.

For sectors such as railway catering, which depend heavily on LPG for bulk cooking, even short-term supply interruptions can affect service continuity.

Read more: Government Plans PM-KUSUM 2.0 With 10 GW Agri-Solar Component to Boost Farmer Income.

Conclusion

While the LPG situation has not yet led to large-scale disruptions in railway catering services, IRCTC’s proactive advisory signals growing caution within the transport ecosystem.

By encouraging a shift to electric cooking equipment and increased RTE food stocking, the railway catering arm aims to ensure that passenger food services remain uninterrupted even as global energy supply uncertainties continue to evolve.

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