Quick Response Teams have been activated across zones to inspect trains and stations, with thousands of bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water and other F&B products seized.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has intensified inspections across trains and railway stations to curb the stocking, sale and service of unapproved food and beverage products and strengthen compliance with prescribed food safety and catering standards.
IRCTC, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has constituted Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to conduct inspections in coordination with the Railways’ commercial departments. The teams are focusing particularly on unapproved packaged drinking water (PDW), food and beverage products and other items that do not conform to prescribed standards.
Catering units are also being checked for licences and authorisations as well as compliance with hygiene and food safety requirements.
Over 8,000 Unapproved Water Bottles Seized in Two Drives
In the North Zone, IRCTC officials and the Lucknow Commercial Department conducted an inspection drive at stations in the Lucknow region between July 28 and August 8, 2026. A total of 117 trains were inspected and 5,241 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water were seized.
The IRCTC Regional Office in Chandigarh also carried out inspections at stations including Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Katra and Jammu. During the drive, officials inspected 51 trains and seized another 3,108 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water.
QRTs have also been deployed for surprise inspections of catering units under the Chandigarh Regional Office. During two such inspections at Ambala, officials seized 13 cartons of unapproved products, including ice cream and flavoured milk.
A similar inspection at Saharanpur Railway Station resulted in the seizure of unapproved ice creams, beverages and packaged drinking water.
Unauthorised Buttermilk and Water Detected
During a surprise inspection of Train Side Vending operations for Train Nos. 19223 and 19031 at Sabarmati BG Railway Station, IRCTC officials detected unauthorised packaged drinking water and buttermilk being loaded onto the trains. The products were seized for further action.
Inspection teams have also acted at Howrah and conducted onboard and catering-unit checks across locations including Guwahati, Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri and Dibrugarh.
Apart from unapproved food and packaged drinking water, officials are checking catering operations for issues such as overcharging, staff documentation, hygiene, pest control, equipment standards and passenger service requirements.
IRCTC has instructed catering staff and operators not to load, stock or sell unauthorised food and beverage products. Violations could attract penal action under the applicable licence terms and conditions.
According to IRCTC, QRTs have now been activated across its zones and regions, and such inspection drives will continue in coordination with the Railways’ commercial departments. The initiative is aimed at ensuring that passengers are served approved, safe, hygienic and quality food and beverages across the railway network.