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Indian railways is drafting a policy in which pantry cars of trains are likely to be used as storeroom to store precooked meals. A final decision is yet to be taken on this policy by stakeholders which seeks the replacement of 2010 catering policy.

As per the policy there would be a distinction between food distribution and preparation but future of pantry cars will seek a special attention. If this policy gets implemented then pantry cars have to develop in a away that should suit demands of pre-cooked food storage supplied from the base kitchen with minimum handling before transfer it to passengers. Infact, the very need of pantry car acting as kitchens where food is cooked to feed the hungry passengers will be obliterated. Instead in a pantry car food will be stacked and heated before distribution.

Railway is drafting such a policy due to decline in demand of food from pantry cars. According to railway data only 20% of all on-board passengers purchase food from pantry cars. This is because pantry cars have lost their credibility and passengers are now very concerned about the hygiene. On the other hand Southern railway gets 350 meal orders per day through its e-catering services.

A railway official said, “ the absence of a standalone pantry car would help railways have another compartment, accommodating more passengers”