Three months on, the station-based e-catering service, launched by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), is receiving good response in the state.

The pilot project of IRCTC, which allows passengers to order meal from caterers over phone or online, has kicked off in Ranchi, Hatia, Tatanagar and Bokaro steel city railway stations.

Passengers can either order food online at www.ecatering.irctc.co.in or by calling at the toll-free number "1800 1034 139" or sending SMS Meal to 139 with PNR details and berth number. The meals will be delivered to their seats.

They are spoilt for choices with delicious offerings from food chains like mio amore, KFC, Domino's Pizza and others besides the IRCTC-sponsored Food Plaza and units.

The service is being provided by Deepak and Co. in Ranchi, B.M. Singh in Hatia and IRCTC Food Plaza in Bokaro.

Senior divisional commercial manager of Ranchi Neeraj Kumar said they were getting good response from passengers. "I can't comment on the quality of pantry food served on the trains but we are trying our best to provide better food," said Kumar.

Despite arriving at Ranchi from Howrah by Shatabdi Express, where food is provided, on Friday, marketing executive Vijay Mandal availed the e-catering service at Ranchi station by calling the toll-free number. "Since I didn't like the pantry food served on the train, I spent extra by ordering via e-catering," said Mandal.

There are 45 stations across India, where one can avail the service.

The food is available from 6am too 10pm. Passengers can make payment through e-payment, if the meal is booked on website and in case of orders through phone and SMS, the payment can be made in cash to the delivery staff.