Railways Slaps ₹5.13 Crore Penalty on Defaulting Caterers Over Food Safety Breaches in Trains
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Indian Railways has cracked down on sub-standard food quality and hygiene failures across its passenger network, imposing ₹5.13 crore in fines on catering contractors over the past three years. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the figures in a written response to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, confirming that six contracts were terminated outright while defaulting licensees were blacklisted from future tenders.
Strict Enforcement and Blacklisting Drive
The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) issued 54 show-cause notices to non-compliant vendors during this period. Names of blacklisted licensees have been published directly on the IRCTC official website to enforce transparency.
Despite serving nearly 58 crore meals annually across the rail network, food quality complaints account for a minute fraction—roughly 0.0008% of total meals served. However, officials emphasized that zero tolerance remains the benchmark for passenger health and hygiene.
High-Tech Base Kitchens and Live CCTV Surveillance
To prevent food safety compromises, Indian Railways is overhauling its catering infrastructure through modern technology and multi-tier monitoring:
- QR Code Tracking on Meals: Meal packets served on trains now feature QR codes detailing the packaging date, caterer name, and mandatory FSSAI licence numbers.
- CCTV & Real-Time Monitoring: Modernized base kitchens feature live CCTV camera coverage to oversee food preparation routines and hygiene standards.
- Qualified Supervisors: Food Safety Supervisors are deployed across all major cooking hubs, supported by on-board IRCTC supervisors inspecting service inside train coaches.
- Branded Ingredients & FSSAI Standards: Caterers must use verified, branded raw materials and hold mandatory FSSAI certifications.
Unannounced Audits and Random Food Sampling
Railways authorities, along with dedicated Food Safety Officers, regularly conduct surprise inspections covering equipment maintenance, pest control, deep-cleaning schedules, and staff hygiene practices. Independent third-party audits and random food sampling are also conducted alongside periodic customer satisfaction surveys to maintain service quality.
Furthermore, IRCTC conducts regular training workshops for pantry staff, focusing on personal hygiene, proper food handling, and customer service standards to improve the overall passenger travel experience.
