Swiggy Expands ‘Food on Train’ Service to 152 Stations Ahead of Holi Travel Rush

Food delivery major Swiggy has significantly expanded its partnership with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), doubling its ‘Food on Train’ network to 152 railway stations across India. The expansion, timed strategically ahead of the Holi travel surge, reflects a sharp rise in demand for hygienic, reliable, and diverse meal options for rail passengers nationwide.

Network Expansion: From 70 to 152 Stations in One Year

Swiggy has reported a remarkable 117% growth in its railway food delivery footprint over the past 12 months. In February 2025, the service was available at just 70 stations. As of February 2026, that number has more than doubled to 152 stations.

The expanded network now stretches across the country—from Guwahati in the East to Rajkot in the West, and from Pathankot in the North to Tirunelveli in the South. This pan-India coverage demonstrates Swiggy’s growing logistical strength and its ability to build a reliable supply chain that supports food delivery directly to train seats.

The expansion comes at a critical time, as millions of Indians prepare to travel during the Holi festive season.

Holi Special Menu and Exclusive Offers

To enhance the festive travel experience, Swiggy has introduced a special Holi menu available from February 28 to March 8, 2026. Passengers can order traditional festive treats such as Gujiya, Pua, and Puran Poli, delivered fresh to their seats.

In addition to curated festive dishes, Swiggy is offering a flat ₹125 discount on orders above ₹399 during the Holi period. The company aims to combine convenience with celebration, allowing travellers to enjoy authentic festive flavours even while on the move.

The Holi specials will be prominently featured within Swiggy’s app interface, making it easier for users to discover themed collections of sweets and chaats.

‘Train Friendly Dishes’: Data-Driven Convenience

A major driver of Swiggy’s growth in rail delivery has been its ‘Train Friendly Dishes’ segment. This specially curated category focuses on meals designed for easy consumption during train journeys.

Using a data-led approach, Swiggy combines individual passenger preferences with insights from the 40 most popular cuisines ordered across its rail network. This ensures relevant recommendations appear prominently in the app.

The results have been significant: the Train Friendly Dishes category now accounts for 22% of all train orders, making it one of the fastest-growing segments on the platform.

City Best: Bringing Award-Winning Restaurants Onboard

Swiggy has also strengthened its ‘City Best’ collection across all 152 stations. This curated list connects passengers with top-rated, award-winning local restaurants in each city.

The goal is to eliminate uncertainty when ordering food in unfamiliar locations. According to Swiggy’s data, one in four users interacts with the ‘City Best’ widget immediately upon opening the app—highlighting the strong trust factor associated with the feature.

By offering reliable local favourites, Swiggy enhances the travel dining experience while supporting regional restaurant partners.

Beyond Metros: Growth Driven by India’s Interiors

Although metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are part of the network, they account for just 15% of the total footprint. The true expansion story lies in India’s interior regions.

Tier-1 hubs contribute around 30% of the coverage, while 55% of the network is concentrated in Tier-2 cities and smaller towns. This includes industrial centres like Dhanbad, Bina, and Bhilai, as well as cultural hubs such as Agra, Gaya, and Madurai.

From bustling junctions like Lucknow and Bhopal to smaller towns such as Tadepalligudem and Deoghar, Swiggy’s reach now spans diverse geographies. Cities like Nagpur, Kanpur, Surat, and Vijayawada have emerged as the busiest stations, consistently recording the highest order volumes.

Understanding Traveller Behavior Through Data

Swiggy’s insights reveal interesting regional variations in meal preferences:

• Itarsi and Ratlam lead in breakfast orders

• Kanpur, Bhopal, and Salem dominate lunch orders

• Nagpur and Vijayawada record the highest dinner demand

This time-based demand pattern allows Swiggy to optimize supply chains and restaurant readiness according to local consumption habits, ensuring timely deliveries throughout the journey.

High Delivery Success and Customer Trust

Maintaining reliability across railway logistics is complex, but Swiggy reports a consistently high delivery success rate across its network. By integrating closely with IRCTC systems, the platform enables passengers to schedule deliveries aligned with train arrival times at specific stations.

As India’s food mobility landscape evolves, Swiggy’s surveys indicate that today’s travellers prioritize hygiene, safety, and reliability over spontaneous onboard purchases. The “convenience economy” has now extended beyond home delivery into transit environments.

Conclusion

Swiggy’s expansion of its IRCTC partnership reflects more than network growth—it signals a transformation in how Indians experience food while travelling. By combining data intelligence, localized restaurant partnerships, festive offerings, and deep regional penetration, the company is redefining railway dining.

As millions travel home for Holi, Swiggy’s enhanced ‘Food on Train’ service aims to deliver not just meals, but a seamless, trusted, and festive culinary experience right at passengers’ seats.