Train passengers? IRCTC warns about these two unauthorized apps - this is what you should know

The Indian Railways catering service provider IRCTC has come up with a new warning to its train passengers. IRCTC is now asking passengers to avoid ordering their food from two apps: Travel Khana and Rail Yatri. IRCTC has firmly mentioned that, they do not hold responsible, if the quality of food ordered from these apps. Hence, IRCTC recommends customers to book their meals from official website, and say no to these unauthorized aggregators. Food has been a cause of concern for train passengers for quite a long time now, and Indian Railways along with IRCTC have been enhancing the catering services given to a passenger. 

IRCTC via its official Twitter account said, "We don't support or encourage orders placed via unauthorised aggregators like Rail Yatri, Travel Khana etc." It appealed its passengers saying,

It appealed customers saying, "Please note we won't be responsible for the quality of food or any other concerns. We highly recommend ordering all your meals via official IRCTC #Ecatering website or app."

We don't support or encourage orders placed via unauthorised aggregators like Rail Yatri, Travel Khana etc. Please note we won't be responsible for the quality of food or any other concerns. We highly recommend ordering all your meals via official IRCTC #Ecatering website or app. pic.twitter.com/PD49E55evo

— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) February 21, 2019

Let's find out how TravelKhana and Rail Yatri apps are:

TravelKhana! 

Travelkhana is the train food order booking application. Get great train food anywhere in India while traveling in a train.Now offering food delivery at more than 300 locations across India. A passenger can use this in offline mode (no - internet) mode as well.

One can search  for food in train using your train journey details or PNR details.

Interestingly, on Google Play, this app defines itself as favourite E-CATERING service on the Indian Railways. This is not true, as IRCTC is already having a food app named as IRCTC eCatering.

Rail Yatri! 

This one is a food booking agent. It does not have restaurants of its own. In order to provide a comprehensive choice of food to customers; it has tied up with many Delivery Restaurants across India.

They ask for details like a copy of the food booking receipt, train ticket (either in original, copy or SMS)and Identity proof (Driving license, Student ID card, Company ID card, Passport, PAN card, Aadhar card or Voter ID card) during the time of delivery. 

This would not be the first time, IRCTC has warned customers about Travel Khana and RailYatri. Last year in April, IRCTC gave a similar warning on these two apps also including another ones namely Omitra, Yatrachef.

Here's how IRCTC's e-catering service works!

Passengers can book their preferred meal also through e-catering.irctc.co.in. Passengers can even book food through a call on 1323. They can also book food through mobile app, 'Food on Track', that can be downloaded on any Android/IOS phones. 

By typing MEAL <PNR> and sending to 139, passengers can book food through SMS. Passengers having valid reservation ticket can book their tickets through IRCTC website. Passengers need to visit e-catering.irctc.co.in and enter the PNR number to book their meals.