- Action against those selling unauthorized food in railways
- QRT teams active in all zones
- IRCTC strikes across the country
- Thousands of unauthorized water bottles seized
IRCTC Food: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation ie to provide safe, clean and quality food and beverage services to railway passengers IRCTChas intensified the special inspection drive. The focus has been on catering units selling and storing unauthorized food, beverages as well as unapproved packaged drinking water. The objective of this action is to ensure that the health of railway passengers is not compromised and to ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene and licensing norms laid down in railway catering services.
QRT teams active in all zones
IRCTC has formed Quick Response Teams (QRT) under this special campaign. These teams are carrying out unannounced inspections of trains, railway stations and catering units in coordination with the commercial department of the railways. During the inspection, the concerned catering unit is being checked whether the license, required official permissions, food quality, cleanliness, food safety and other prescribed criteria are being met.
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Inspection of 117 trains in Lucknow
A special inspection drive was conducted by IRCTC officials along with the Commercial Department of Railways in Lucknow Division from 28th July to 8th August 2026. 117 trains were inspected during this campaign. 5,241 bottles of packaged drinking water of unapproved brands were seized.
Inspection of 51 trains in Chandigarh division
In Chandigarh division, trains were inspected at various stations including Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Katra and Jammu. During this operation, 51 trains were inspected and 3,108 bottles of unauthorized packaged drinking water were seized. Besides, 13 cartons of unauthorized products including ice-cream and flavored milk were seized in two surprise checks conducted by the QRT team at Ambala. Unauthorized ice creams, drinks and packaged drinking water were also seized at Saharanpur railway station.
Unauthorized water and buttermilk seizure in Sabarmati
On August 9, there was a surprise inspection of train side vending operations at Sabarmati BG railway station. At this time, it was found that unauthorized packaged drinking water and buttermilk were being carried in train number 19223 and 19031. The IRCTC team seized these materials and detained them for further action.
Action also taken in Howrah and Guwahati
On August 8 at Howrah, a QRT team along with the Commercial Department of Railways conducted a surprise inspection and seized unauthorized food and beverages. Relevant materials were disposed of. Regular, unannounced and onboard checks were conducted between August 8 and 14 in Guwahati, Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri and Dibrugarh. These inspections focused on unauthorized packaged drinking water, food, overcharging, staff documents, cleanliness, pest control, equipment and quality of services provided to passengers. Unauthorized water and food items were seized and disposed of at various places.
IRCTC warning to catering service providers
IRCTC has asked all catering service providers to issue clear instructions to their employees not to carry, store or sell any unauthorized food or beverages in trains. Violation of the prescribed norms has also been warned that strict penal action will be taken as per the terms of the relevant license and agreement.
Emphasis on providing safe and quality catering to passengers
The main objective of this special campaign is to provide safe, clean and quality food and beverages to railway passengers. Hence QRT teams have been activated in all zones and divisions of IRCTC. Such inspection campaigns will be carried out continuously by IRCTC in coordination with the concerned business departments of Railways. Emphasis is placed on ensuring strict adherence to prescribed standards of food safety and hygiene along with curbing the sale of unauthorized food and beverages.
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