Railways seek priority LPG supply as gas shortage hits train catering

Representation Pic/Istock

Catering on trains and railway stations may become an essential category as LPG supply started dwindling to railway utilities, contractors, and base kitchens on Wednesday due to the ongoing gas crisis amid the unrest in West Asia.

Following the shortage in supply of LPG, the railways have written a set of letters to the petroleum ministry seeking seamless supply, highlighting the essential nature of several operational requirements linked to train services. The next step would be to include passenger catering as well.

Kitchen at Sewri that supplies food to trains shut due to LPG shortage. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Railway Board chairman and CEO has written to the secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas seeking a continued and priority supply of LPG and PNG for the functioning of Indian Railways, a copy of which is with mid-day.

What's in the letter?

In a letter dated March 10, the Railway Board has highlighted that LPG supply is essential for several operational requirements linked to train services. These include its use in crew running rooms, which support railway staff. The LPG is also required in railway production units for manufacturing critical components such as wheels, which are necessary for maintaining the rolling stock fleet. "Ensuring an uninterrupted supply of the fuel is therefore important to keep railway services running smoothly."

The demand in numbers

8000+
LPG cylinders across

340 stations
1000 Cylinders on WR and CR

98
VCylinders on WR stations - Bandra, Mumbai Central, Valsad, and Vasai

March 10
Day letter was written