Lok Sabha Question No. 1637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Action against Railway Catering Contractors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1637

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## ACTION AGAINST RAILWAY CATERING CONTRACTORS

1637. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Indian  Railways  Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation (IRCTC) has reviewed contracts of catering firms who have been found violating health  standards  especially  in  zones  like  Southern  Railway,  if  so,  the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  details  of  firms  providing  catering services in trains and the number of complaints received against these firms during the last five years, zone-wise;
- (c)  whether  the  catering  unit  at  Kadavanthra  in  Kochi  who  has  been found serving unhygienic and stale food to railway passengers, has been blacklisted/penalised  by the authorities, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to consider empaneling community-run  initiatives  like  Kudumbashree's  Samrudhi  network  of Kochi Municipal Corporation to supply food on trains, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  whether  any  guidelines  have  been  issued  recently  to  improve  the quality, hygiene and safety of food on Railways, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) regularly  floats  tenders  to  select  licensees  for  provision  of  onboard catering services in trains, as mandated under the extant policy. These

licenses  are  awarded  through  a  transparent  process, as per the terms and conditions stipulated in the tender documents. Performance review of  catering  contractors  is an ongoing process, which is done by IRCTC from time to time. Corrective action is accordingly taken in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.

The  base  kitchen  at  Kochi  was  inspected  by  a  committee  of  three officers from Railways and IRCTC, following which a penalty of Rs.1,00,000/- was imposed and the base kitchen has been closed.

The following measures have been taken to improve quality, hygiene, and food safety:

- ●
- ●
- Supply of meals from designated Base Kitchens.
- Commissioning of modern Base Kitchens at identified locations.
- Installation of CCTV Cameras in Base Kitchens for better monitoring of food preparation.
- Shortlisting  and  use  of  popular  and  branded  raw  materials,  like cooking oil,  atta,  rice,  pulses,  masala  items,  paneer,  dairy  products etc. for food production.
- Deployment of Food Safety Supervisors at Base Kitchens to monitor food safety and hygienic practices.
- ●
- Deployment of on-board IRCTC supervisors on trains.
- Introduction of QR codes on food packets, enabling display of details like name of kitchen, date of packaging etc.
- Regular  deep  cleaning  and  periodical  pest  control  in  Base  Kitchens and Pantry Cars.
- In  order  to  ensure  compliance  with Food Safety Norms, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification from designated Food Safety Officers of each catering unit has been made mandatory.
- Regular  food  sampling  as  a  part  of  the  inspection  and  monitoring mechanism to ensure quality of food on trains.
- Third  Party  Audit  is  done  to  examine  hygiene  and  quality  of food in Pantry Cars and Base Kitchens. Customer satisfaction survey is also
- conducted.
- Regular and surprise inspections by Railway/ IRCTC officials, including Food Safety Officers.

- Regular  training  is  conducted  by  IRCTC  to  enhance  the  skills  of catering staff, focusing on customer service areas i.e., communication,  courteous  behaviour,  service  standards,  personal grooming, and hygiene.
- Pilot testing with Kudumbashree Samrudhi has also been carried out.

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