Indian Railways has imposed significant penalties totaling ₹5.13 crore on its catering service providers. The fines, levied over the past three years, address a surge of complaints regarding substandard food quality and unsanitary conditions within pantry cars.
Strict Action Against Poor Catering Standards
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the penalties in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The action comes after inquiries into numerous grievances, with the minister noting that while Indian Railways serves an average of 58 crore meals annually, complaints related to food quality constitute a small but critical 0.0008 percent of the total.
The minister's response was prompted by Congress MP Chandrakant Handore, who sought details on complaints concerning food quality, unhygienic pantry cars, and hospitality deficiencies on premium and express trains.
Measures to Enhance Food Hygiene and Transparency
To combat these issues and ensure passengers receive good-quality, hygienic food, Indian Railways has implemented several measures:
- Centralized Kitchens: Meals are now supplied from designated base kitchens, with modern facilities commissioned at key locations to elevate preparation and supply standards.
- Real-time Monitoring: CCTV cameras have been installed in base kitchens, allowing for continuous, real-time surveillance of food preparation and related activities.
- Digital Billing: Point of Sale (POS) machines have been introduced in pantry cars to facilitate electronic billing and cashless transactions. Passengers can now pay using various digital methods, including UPI, QR codes, and swipe machines, enhancing transparency and accountability.
These initiatives underscore Indian Railways' ongoing commitment to strengthening food safety, hygiene monitoring, and overall accountability within its onboard catering services, aiming to significantly improve the passenger experience.