The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has significantly ramped up its efforts against the sale of unauthorized food and packaged drinking water on trains and at railway stations. Recent enforcement drives conducted across various railway zones led to the confiscation of over 8,000 bottles of unapproved drinking water, alongside numerous other non-compliant food and beverage products.
This intensified campaign underscores IRCTC's commitment to enhancing passenger safety and upholding stringent quality standards for all items sold within its network.
Quick Response Teams Lead Inspections
As part of this comprehensive enforcement initiative, IRCTC has activated Quick Response Teams (QRTs) across all its operational zones and regions. These specialized teams are conducting unannounced inspections at railway stations and on board trains, working in close coordination with the commercial department of Indian Railways.
The primary objective of these inspections is to identify and remove packaged drinking water, food items, beverages, and other products that are being sold without the necessary approvals or fail to meet the prescribed quality and safety standards. IRCTC has issued a stern warning to all authorized catering service providers, explicitly prohibiting them from loading, stocking, or selling any unapproved items.
Network-Wide Enforcement Actions
The crackdown has extended across the entire national railway network. For instance, at Sabarmati BG railway station, officials successfully intercepted and seized unauthorized packaged water and buttermilk that vendors were attempting to load onto trains. Similar inspection activities were carried out in key railway hubs including Howrah, Guwahati, Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaipuri, and Dibrugarh.
During a surprise inspection at Howrah, confiscated food and beverage items that did not meet regulations were promptly disposed of, demonstrating the immediate action taken against violations.
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
IRCTC has made it clear that any violations by catering service providers will result in severe penalties, as outlined in their applicable license agreements. This latest series of enforcement drives is an integral part of IRCTC's broader strategy to rigorously regulate the sale of food and beverages, ensuring that passengers consistently have access to only approved and safe products across all Indian Railways premises.