IRCTC directs West Zone catering units to prepare for possible LPG supply disruptions

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has issued an advisory to catering units in its West Zone. The advisory guarantees uninterrupted food services for railway passengers. The advisory was sent to all relevant parties from the IRCTC West Zone office located in Mumbai on March 10 2026.

IRCTC directs alternate cooking methods for catering

The letter provided instructions to all licensees who manage static catering facilities at railway stations, including Food Plazas, Refreshment Rooms and Jan Ahaar outlets. The directive was issued following concerns about possible supply disruptions of commercial LPG cylinders due to the ongoing international conflicts in West Asia.

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According to IRCTC, the current geopolitical situation in the area creates risks that will reduce regional stability, leading to disruptions in LPG cylinder distribution for cooking at catering facilities. The catering operators have been requested by the corporation to implement immediate safety measures in order to prevent interruptions that would affect passenger services.

The advisory requires IRCTC units to implement alternative cooking methods, including microwaves and induction stoves, when they experience restricted LPG supply. Operators have also been asked to maintain an adequate stock of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food items in addition to their regular food menu so that passenger demand can still be met.

The letter states that any unit that terminates all LPG cooking operations must inform the West Zone control office about its situation. IRCTC has instructed all catering units to follow the directives strictly to ensure that food services for railway passengers remain smooth, reliable and uninterrupted due to the global fuel supply challenges.

About the Middle East crisis:

The ongoing West Asian crisis started when Iran, Israel and the United States raised military tensions to a new level. International news organisations reported that the conflict became worse after US and Israeli forces attacked Iranian military installations, leading to the death of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei.

In response, Iran used missiles and drones to attack US military bases and sites connected to Israel throughout the region, which raised concerns about a larger conflict.

Ali Khamenei's death created a major political shock in Iran and triggered strong reactions across the region. The event raised tensions between the two sides because it violated one of Iran's most important "red lines" which increased the possibility of retaliation and regional conflict.

Iran took immediate action to fill the power void after the incident, which resulted in Mojtaba Khamenei being named the new Supreme Leader of the nation. Experts warn that this leadership change could further harden Iran’s stance in the conflict.

The crisis has caused interruptions to both aviation routes and energy market operations. The Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace, forcing airlines to either change flight routes or cancel scheduled flights.

The conflict has raised security concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, the route for almost 20 per cent of global oil shipments, thus creating a worldwide economic issue.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why has IRCTC issued the advisory to catering units?

Disruptions in LPG supply due to international conflicts in West Asia have led IRCTC to issue an advisory, as it wants to ensure uninterrupted food services for passengers.

Q2. What alternative cooking methods should catering units use?

Catering units should use microwaves and induction stoves and maintain ready-to-eat (RTE) food stocks when LPG supply is limited.

Q3. What should units do if they stop using LPG completely?

They must immediately inform the IRCTC West Zone control office about their situation.