Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is a subsidiary of the Indian Railways that handles catering, tourism, and online ticketing operations. Established on 27 September 1999, the IRCTC has played a crucial role in revolutionizing the railway travel experience for millions of passengers across India.

History

The IRCTC was incorporated as a public limited company under the Companies Act, 1956, with the primary objective of providing quality catering services to railway passengers. Over the years, the corporation has expanded its services to include tourism packages, online ticket booking, and other travel-related offerings.

Services

• Catering: The IRCTC manages food plazas, fast food units, and vending services on trains and at railway stations. It also operates the renowned “Rajdhani” and “Shatabdi” express trains, known for their superior catering services.
• Tourism: The corporation offers various tourism packages, including luxury train tours like the Maharajas’ Express, Buddhist Circuit Special Train, and Bharat Darshan Tourist Train. It also provides customized tour packages, hotel bookings, and car rental services.
• Online Ticketing: The IRCTC website, www.irctc.co.in, is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in India, handling millions of transactions daily. Passengers can book train tickets, check seat availability, and avail various other services through the website or the IRCTC mobile app.
• Rail Neer: IRCTC manufactures and distributes packaged drinking water under the brand name “Rail Neer” to ensure safe and hygienic water for railway passengers.
• E-catering: The E-catering service allows passengers to order food from partner restaurants and have it delivered to their seats during their journey.

Achievements

• The IRCTC has been consistently profitable since its inception, with a turnover of INR 1,867 crore ($254 million) in the financial year 2019-20.
• In 2019, the IRCTC launched an IPO, which was oversubscribed by 112 times, making it one of the most successful IPOs in the history of the Indian stock market.
• The corporation has won several awards for its services, including the National Tourism Award for Best Tourism Promotion and Publicity Programme in 2011 and the SCOPE Award for Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to the Public Sector Management in 2013.

Challenges and Controversies

• The IRCTC has faced criticism for its catering services, with complaints about the quality and hygiene of food served on trains and at stations.
• In 2017, the corporation faced a data breach, where personal information of around 10 million passengers was feared to have been compromised. However, the IRCTC clarified that no sensitive information was leaked.

Future Plans

The IRCTC is continuously working on improving its services and increasing its revenue. Some of its future plans include:

• Expanding the e-catering service to cover more trains and stations.
• Launching new tourism packages to promote domestic and international travel.
• Enhancing the user experience on its website and mobile app to make ticket booking and other services more convenient for passengers.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has played a significant role in transforming the travel experience for railway passengers in India. With its diverse range of services and commitment to quality, the corporation is set to continue its growth and contribute to the development of the Indian tourism industry.