Zomato rival Swiggy expands food delivery to 100 railway stations across 20 states

Zomato rival Swiggy has expanded its food delivery service, in partnership with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), to 100 railway stations across 20 states.

This move lets passengers order meals from a choice of over 7 million menu items, with more than 60,000 restaurant brands and at least 35 different cuisines available.

The company said that meals are delivered right to their seats, bringing greater convenience to travelers who want variety and quality during their train journeys.

Focus on convenience and variety

Swiggy also said that it will be providing guaranteed delivery to the seat (or a full refund) if the meal does not arrive by the time the train leaves the station. Passengers can place pre-orders by searching “Train” on the Swiggy app and entering their PNR number. They can then choose the station where they want their food delivered.

In addition, Swiggy has introduced assured cutlery, with every meal including a spoon, fork, and tissue in an eco-friendly pouch. These items are made from sustainable materials.

Swiggy's partnership with IRCTC

In March 2024, Swiggy and IRCTC began delivering orders on trains. Since then, the service has grown rapidly, with more than 10 lakh orders already placed.

Vijayawada Junction ranks first for the most deliveries so far, while Kalyan Junction recorded the largest single order, which included 41 burgers and 40 fries. Biryani is the most popular meal, with over 100,000 orders, followed closely by South Indian dishes like dosa, idli, and vada.

However, many passengers have been branching out to try more diverse options such as Tibetan baked cheesy momos, cinnamon churros, Mexican mushroom and cheese quesadillas, and Lebanese chicken shawarma.

Leadership comments

Deepak Maloo, vice president of Swiggy Food Marketplace, said the expansion to 100 stations reflects the importance of food in train travel. “Train journeys are an integral part of India’s culture, and food plays a central role in that experience,” he said.

“Expanding Swiggy Food on Trains allows us to serve passengers with greater convenience and access to a diverse range of meals from across the country. This milestone is a testament to the seamless integration of technology and operations.”

Swiggy plans to keep growing its service, bringing food delivery to more stations in the coming months. The company’s main competitor in this space, Zomato, also partnered with IRCTC last year, currently offering its own version of on-train meal delivery at over 100 railway stations.