Ground report: IRCTC diktat on induction stoves finds few takers amid logistical issues

The IRTC on Tuesday asked kitchens across railway stations to cook using microwave ovens and induction stoves instead of LPG cylinders. However, India Today reporters found that the latest directive has had limited impact so far.

The LPG crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East has now hit railway passengers in India. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRTC), which provides catering, ticketing and tourism services to the Indian Railways, on Tuesday asked kitchens across railway stations to cook using microwave ovens and induction stoves instead of LPG cylinders. However, India Today TV reporters found that the latest directive has had limited impact so far. While many canteens were unable to fully switch to induction stoves, some argued about the feasibility of shifting to a new system of cooking.

The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction in Chandauli is one of the busiest railway stations on the Delhi-Howrah line. India Today found that the food was still being cooked using LPG cylinders. A manager of the food plaza at the station said that they were using an old stock of LPG cylinders, which could run out in the next couple of days.

"An order for ovens and induction stoves has been placed as per IRCTC's instructions. As long as we have our stock of LPG cylinders, we will be cooking on them. However, when our LPG supply runs out, we will switch to ovens and induction stoves as per IRCTC's instructions," said Sandeep Yadav, the food court's manager.

Yadav also expressed concern that it will be difficult to cook and supply food using ovens and induction stoves since Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction is a large station with high passenger traffic. "So, we urge the government to supply us with LPG cylinders as per our requirement," he told India Today.

IRCTC kitchens in Jaipur Railway Station have closed down, with vendors telling India Today that it will not be possible for them to cook food on induction stoves and microwaves.

Due to the unavailability of gas cylinders, the food supply at the railway station had already declined to just one-third by Wednesday evening. Moreover, IRCTC managers rejected induction stoves and microwaves, arguing that large quantities of food cannot be cooked on them. In fact, they requested the government to designate IRCTC canteens as emergency services and provide LPG cylinders.