The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) has directed its catering licensees across the West Zone to prepare contingency measures amid concerns over possible disruptions in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. 

In an official instruction dated March 10, IRCTC asked all licensees operating static catering units such as Food Plazas, Refreshment Rooms, and Jan Ahaars to ensure that food services for railway passengers remain uninterrupted despite potential fuel shortages. 

The advisory comes in the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in West Asia that could impact regional stability and the supply chain of commercial LPG, which is widely used in railway catering kitchens. “To maintain seamless operations, you are hereby directed to implement the following measures immediately,” the announcement said. 

Switch to alternative cooking methods 

As part of the contingency plan, IRCTC has asked catering operators to switch to alternate cooking modes such as microwave ovens and induction systems to offset any possible shortage in LPG supplies. 

Licensees have also been asked to maintain adequate stocks of ready-to-eat (RTE) food items in their catering units to ensure passenger demand can be met even if cooking operations are temporarily affected. 

“In addition to standard PAD and other food items, you are required to maintain a sufficient inventory of Ready to Eat (RTE) food items within your units to meet passenger demand,” the letter noted. 

Further, IRCTC directed that if LPG-based cooking is discontinued at any catering unit due to supply constraints, the matter must be immediately reported to the West Zone control. 

Focus on service continuity 

The railway catering arm highlighted strict compliance with the instructions to prevent any disruption to food services for passengers. “Please ensure strict compliance with these directives to avoid any disruption in service to traveling passengers,” the statement said. 

Meanwhile, concerns over fuel availability have grown after the escalation of conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has disrupted energy markets and raised fears of supply bottlenecks across West Asia. Industry experts warn that prolonged instability in the region could affect LPG shipments and logistics chains globally, prompting businesses and public utilities to prepare contingency measures to maintain operations.