Guwahati: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Monday announced that travellers will soon be able to place food orders using a WhatsApp number.
According to an official statement, the use of WhatsApp for e-catering services will begin with a small number of trains and passengers. The statement also stated that the services will be based on client comments and ideas.
The IRCTC is currently delivering meals on part of the routes through the WhatsApp number +91 8750001323. The service will soon be expanded to include more trains.
It should be noted that the first phase has already been put into effect on select trains arriving from specific routes.
In line with this, a company WhatsApp number notifies clients who book e-tickets to opt in to e-catering services by visiting www.ecatering.irctc.co.in.
After then, consumers can book meals straight through the IRCTC’s e-catering website without even having to download an app from the restaurants of their choice that are located at stations along the route.
The interactive WhatsApp meal ordering and delivery will happen in the following stage.
Then, an AI-based chatbot powered by the customer’s WhatsApp number will be able to answer any inquiries about e-catering services for the passengers and make meal reservations on their behalf.
The IRCTC has commenced its e-catering services through a specially developed website www.catering.irctc.co.in as well its e-catering app ‘Food on Track’.