There have been massive rise in food hygiene complaints by railway passengers In India. From March 2022 to February 2024 these complaints increased by 500%. This data was revealed through a Right to Information (RTI) request which showed that even top-tier trains like Vande Bharat, Rajdhani and Shatabdi are affected. The number of food hygiene complaints in Indian Railways climbed from 1192 in March 2022 to a concerning 6948 by February 2024.
In total from April 2021 to February 2024, there were 11,850 food hygiene complaints by railway passengers in India. The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) responded by issuing 68 show-cause notices and canceling three catering contracts between January 2021 and March 2024. Despite these actions complaints continue to pour in. Even premium trains where passengers pay higher fares have not been spared.
Persistent Problem of Poor Food Quality
The issue of substandard food on Indian Railways isn’t new. A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2017 had already exposed this problem. It pointed out that railway caterers regularly failed to maintain basic hygiene standards. Passengers were often served food infested with flies, insects and even rats. This poor quality continues today as seen in the rising number of food hygiene complaints in Indian Railways.
Even Vande Bharat trains known for their premium services have not been exempt from these issues. Between April 2023 and February 2024 there were 123 food-related complaints. These included reports of stale food and meals containing dead insects. The rising food hygiene complaints in Indian Railways underscore the need for immediate improvements.
IRCTC’s Inadequate Response
IRCTC’s approach to managing these complaints seems insufficient. According to a recent report IRCTC manages over 1500 catering contracts. Yet despite the thousands of complaints only three contracts have been terminated in three years. Experts believe this reflects a deeper issue in how food quality is monitored. Trains lacking pantry cars, outdated food being served and irregular checks contribute to the worsening situation.
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Measures Taken to Address Complaints
In response to these food hygiene complaints in Indian Railways the Railway Board has directed various zones to improve catering services. They have issued fines ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 5 lakh to those found violating hygiene standards. The board also mandated that announcements be made on Vande Bharat trains regarding meal availability and food quality.
Need for Stronger Oversight
Experts argue that the root problem lies in the lack of a system to monitor food quality in Indian Railways. Packed meals often prepared in outside kitchens far from the stations are served without proper checks. The absence of on-train kitchens and frequent policy changes have left passengers with substandard meals. Despite these challenges the IRCTC must urgently address the growing food hygiene complaints in Indian Railways before it erodes public trust further.
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