PTC Web Desk: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has stepped up inspections across several railway zones to stop the sale of unauthorised food, beverages and packaged drinking water to passengers.

The latest checks have also been carried out extensively in the Chandigarh region, with officials targeting products that do not meet the prescribed railway catering and food-safety requirements. The drive covers both trains and fixed catering outlets at railway stations.

Quick response teams formed for surprise checks

IRCTC has formed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to carry out inspections along with the Railways' Commercial Department. The teams are checking catering operations, with particular attention being paid to the stocking and sale of unapproved packaged drinking water, food items and beverages.

Officials are also checking whether catering contractors are following their licence conditions, authorisation requirements and prescribed hygiene and food-safety standards.

3,108 unapproved water bottles seized

The IRCTC Regional Office in Chandigarh inspected 51 trains during the latest week-long inspection drive. The checks were conducted at Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Katra and Jammu. During these inspections, officials seized 3,108 bottles of packaged drinking water carrying unapproved brands. The QRTs have also been conducting surprise checks at catering units across the Chandigarh region. These teams are being led by the Chief Regional Manager and Joint General Manager of IRCTC's Chandigarh office.

Ice cream, flavoured milk seized at Ambala

During two surprise inspections conducted on August 10, a QRT led by the Chief Regional Manager, Chandigarh, found unauthorised products at Ambala. Officials seized 13 cartons of products, including ice cream and flavoured milk. The inspection also covered licensing and authorisation requirements along with hygiene and food-safety conditions at the catering units.

A separate inspection at Saharanpur Railway Station also led to the seizure of unauthorised ice creams, beverages and packaged drinking water.

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The crackdown has not been limited to the Chandigarh region. In the Lucknow region, the Commercial Department carried out an extensive inspection drive between July 28 and August 8.

During this period, officials inspected 117 trains and seized 5,241 bottles of packaged drinking water belonging to unapproved brands.

Unauthorised water found during train-side vending check

IRCTC teams also found violations during a surprise inspection of Train Side Vending operations at Sabarmati BG Railway Station.

During checks on Train Nos. 19223 and 19031, officials found unauthorised packaged drinking water and buttermilk being loaded onto the trains. The products were seized for further action.

Checks extended to Howrah and Guwahati divisions

Similar action was taken by QRT teams in the Howrah and Guwahati divisions. Unauthorised food and beverage products were seized and disposed of at several locations, including Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri and Dibrugarh.

The inspections are aimed at ensuring that passengers are sold only authorised food and beverage products and that railway catering operators follow the required safety and hygiene standards.

Railway minister reviews drinking water arrangements

The intensified inspections come shortly after observations related to drinking water quality in a CAG report. On Sunday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with senior railway officials, reviewed drinking water arrangements across the railway network.

The minister also directed officials to take immediate corrective steps to ensure passengers have access to safe and clean drinking water.