India, March 14 -- The government on Friday agreed to treat railway catering services as essential operations and ensure uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders after a shortage forced railways to serve ready-to-eat food packets to passengers on some trains.

Following the intervention, the state began supplying 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders to railway cluster kitchens and base kitchens allowing fresh meals to be made for passengers on long distance trains. On Friday, railway authorities said the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed state-level nodal agencies to prioritise LPG supply to railway kitchens to ensure uninterrupted catering services on trains.

Cluster kitchens and base kitchens serving long-distance trains on Cen...