IRCTC- On the Growth Path

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), a Public Sector Enterprise Under Ministry of Railways was incorporated on 27th September 1999 as an extended arm of the Indian Railways.

As on 31st March, 2020, the authorized share capital of the company is Rs 250 crores comprising of 25 crores equity shares of Rs. 10/- each, while paid up share capital is Rs 160 crores comprising of 16 crores equity shares of Rs. 10/- each. The company had an astounding listing of its initial public offering at the bourses in 2019 with the IPO being oversubscribed by 112 times.

During FY 2019-20, the Company achieved an all time high total income of Rs. 2,353.53 crores, as compared to Rs. 1958.93 crores in the FY 2018-19. The Company earned a Profit before tax of Rs. 745.35 crores in 2019-20 as compared to Rs. 478.56 crores in 2018-19 and Profit after tax of Rs 528.57 crores in 2019-20 as compared to Rs 308.56 crores in 2018-19.

Flagship Hospitality major

The core business of IRCTC comprise of 4 segments:

1. Catering and Hospitality

2. Travel and Tourism

3. Internet Ticketing

4. Packaged Drinking Water (Rail Neer)

Other Projects/Services

1. E-Catering Services

2. Bus-seat Booking through IRCTC website

3. Hotel/Retiring Rooms Bookings through IRCTC website

4. Artificial Intelligent based solution services – Chatbot

Catering & Hospitality:

The revenue IRCTC from Catering activities increased to Rs. 1059.98 Crores (approx.) in 2019-20 as against Rs 1045.40 Crores in 2018-19. During the year, IRCTC managed on-board catering services in 19 Rajdhanis, 2 Tejas, 1 Gatiman, 1 Vande Bharat, 22 Shatabdis, 19 Durontos and 296 Mail Express trains.

During FY 2019-20, IRCTC managed 11 Base Kitchens. In view of Catering Policy 2017, 30 base kitchens were also up-graded in FY 18-19. The company also commissioned 16 Food Plazas and 40Fast Food Units, thereby managing 293 operational units as on 31.03.2020.

IRCTC started the e-catering service on Indian Railways in 2014 with limited vendors, in 28 trains. Subsequently, it was based out of stations and has been expanded to 358 stations. As of now, 690 vendors (either directly associated with IRCTC or are under 08 appointed food aggregators) are currently providing e-catering services at stations.

At present, IRCTC has commissioned 8 Executive Lounges at Railway Stations offering airport like resting facilities to the passengers with wash and change and buffet meals services.

Company is presently operating two Rail Yatri Niwas at Ginger Rail Yatri Niwas, New Delhi and Sampath Rail Yatri Niwas Howrah and two Hotels at Puri and Ranchi.

Travel and Tourism:

IRCTC has become one of the leading travel and tourism companies in the market. The various tourism products of IRCTC includes Luxury Train Tours like Maharajas' Express, Golden Chariot, Buddhist Circuit Special Train, Bharat Darshan Special Tourist Trains. IRCTC have its exclusive tourism portal, www.irctctourism.com for showcasing and booking of various tourism products in a single space. IRCTC recently launched its Bus booking services that went live for the nation on 29th January, 2021 covering 22 states and 3 union territories.

The revenue from Tourism segment in 2019-20 (excluding State Teerath segment) was registered at Rs 295 crores as against Rs 246 crores in FY 2018-19.

Internet Ticketing:

E-tickets booked online through IRCTC’s website and app accounted for 72.25% of the total reserved tickets over Indian Railways in 2019-20. On an average, about 8.25 lakh tickets were booked daily throng IRCTC's website and app during FY2019-20.

Rail Neer Packaged Drinking Water :

As on 31.03.2020, IRCTC has 14 operational Rail Neer package drinking water plants around the country. The total production of Rail Neer was 27.50 crores bottles in 2019-20 with a plant utilization of 79% as against 21.50 crores bottles in FY 2018-19 with a plant capacity of 83%. The revenue from Rail Neer segment in 2019-20 was registered at Rs 238 crores as against Rs 189 crores in FY 2018-19.