NEW DELHI — In a major push to enforce hygiene and food safety standards across its catering network, Indian Railways has imposed ₹5.13 crore in fines, issued 54 show-cause notices, terminated six contracts, and debarred defaulting licensees over the past three years.
The enforcement details were shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Serving roughly 58 crore meals annually, Indian Railways maintains a low food-quality complaint rate of 0.0008%. However, strict penal measures and ongoing monitoring are being actively enforced via IRCTC to eliminate recurring service lapses.
Key Measures to Upgrade Onboard & Station Catering
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Modernized Infrastructure & Oversight: Upgrading base kitchens with advanced equipment, mandatory CCTV monitoring for real-time food preparation tracking, and deploying dedicated Food Safety Supervisors.
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Packaging Transparency: Introducing QR codes on meal containers displaying packing dates, licensee details, and FSSAI certification numbers for direct passenger verification.
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Rigorous Quality Checks: Conducting regular third-party hygiene audits, mandatory periodic pest control, raw material shortlisting, and unannounced inspections by official Food Safety Officers.
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Staff Upskilling & Audits: Mandatory training programs for catering personnel focused on service ethics, hygiene standards, and customer engagement, supplemented by regular customer satisfaction surveys.
