Railway Food Inspection : Passengers often raise concerns about the quality and hygiene of food served during train journeys. To address these issues, Indian Railways is preparing to strengthen monitoring of catering services. Surprise inspections will be conducted at railway stations and inside trains. These checks will focus on food quality, cleanliness and compliance with food safety regulations, with the aim of improving the overall catering experience for passengers.

IRCTC Partners With QCI
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has signed an agreement with the Quality Council of India (QCI) for this initiative. Certified professionals associated with QCI will independently inspect catering facilities at railway stations and food service arrangements on trains. The objective is to improve transparency and identify vendors who fail to follow the prescribed standards. Surprise inspections are also expected to help authorities assess actual conditions more effectively.

Photos Location and Time to Be Recorded
The inspection process will include digital documentation rather than relying solely on verbal observations. Inspectors will record their findings through a mobile application. Taking photographs, capturing the inspection location and recording the time will be mandatory. These records may help verify inspection findings and establish accountability when irregularities are detected. Under the prescribed process, the audit report must be submitted within 24 hours of completing an inspection.

Strict Action Against Violations
The primary aim of the initiative is to ensure that passengers receive safer food of better quality. If inspections reveal violations involving cleanliness or food safety, the concerned catering vendors may face penalties. Possible action could range from financial fines to termination of contracts. The stronger monitoring system is expected to encourage vendors to follow the rules and help authorities respond more effectively to passenger complaints.

Crores in Fines Over Three Years
According to IRCTC figures, catering-related irregularities resulted in fines totalling Rs 5.13 crore against vendors over the past three years. During the same period, 54 show-cause notices were issued and six contracts were terminated. Some licences were also suspended for violations. Through the new monitoring system, the Railways aims to improve catering standards and reduce complaints about the food served to passengers.