Hack of the day: Order food to your train seat via WhatsApp

The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day'—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple words it is: Simple fixes for smarter living.The quality of food on Indian Railways leaves a lot to be desired. However, passengers in trains will now be able to place online food delivery orders via WhatsApp and get it delivered to their seats. This hack lets you order meals from popular brands like Domino’s, Haldiram’s, Bikanervala, and more, delivered straight to your berth at the station of your choice. With no room for network issues and latency, passengers will be able to track their orders easily. Use WhatsApp to place your order through IRCTC’s official partner Zoop, and enjoy restaurant-quality food while traveling. This hack combines convenience with choice, ensuring you can enjoy trusted brands and fresh meals without leaving your seat.Important tip: Orders must be placed at least 60 minutes before the train reaches the chosen station. Ensure your phone has a stable network when placing the order. The feature allows digital payments across services like UPI, netbanking etc. Since WhatsApp Payments is not yet enabled for businesses, the payment interface is outside the WhatsApp ecosystem. So, users can make digital payments via UPI, and netbanking among other modes.