IRCTC New Catering Rule: If you are a regular traveller on Indian Railways and prefer having a late-night dinner during your journey, you may now have to change that habit. Passengers will no longer be served food on trains late at night, as pantry services will remain closed from 11 PM to 6 AM. During this period, passengers will not be able to purchase food items, tea, or even hot water onboard.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC New Food Rule 2026) has issued an order regarding the new rule. As a result, passengers who usually eat late at night while travelling will now have to carry packed food from home or depend on food available at railway stations.

Night Pantry Service Suspended for Cleaning and Maintenance

Explaining the reason behind suspending the service, IRCTC said pantry cars will undergo cleaning and maintenance work during night hours.

The corporation stated that special focus is being given to maintaining cleanliness in pantry cars to ensure passengers receive not only tasty but also hygienic food services.

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Most Major Trains Through Dhanbad Operate at Night

According to a report by Jagran.com, most major trains originating from or passing through Dhanbad operate during night hours. These include the Dhanbad-Firozpur Cantt Ganga-Sutlej Express, Ranchi-Bhagalpur Vananchal Express, Jodhpur-Howrah Express, Indore-Howrah Shipra Express, and Howrah-Kalka Netaji Express, among several others.

With pantry services unavailable late at night, passengers travelling on these trains will now have to make alternative arrangements for food and beverages.

Meanwhile, passengers travelling on long-distance trains during daytime hours will also have to depend on platform vendors after 11 PM due to the suspension of onboard catering services.

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Patients Travelling on Dhanbad-Alleppey Express May Face Difficulties

A large number of patients travel on the Dhanbad-Alleppey Express, often referred to as the “ambulance train.” Apart from Dhanbad, patients from several parts of Jharkhand use this train to travel to Vellore for medical treatment.

The suspension of late-night food services and the unavailability of hot water are likely to create additional difficulties for patients travelling on the train.