IRCTC has stepped up inspections across railway stations and trains to stop the sale of unapproved food and beverage products and ensure safer, more hygienic services for passengers.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has formed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) across its zones and regions. These teams are carrying out surprise and regular inspections along with the commercial departments of the Railways.
A major focus is unapproved Packaged Drinking Water (PDW), along with unauthorized food, beverages and other products that do not meet prescribed standards.
The latest inspections in the North Zone alone led to the seizure of 8,349 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water. Between July 28 and August 8, 2026, IRCTC officials and the Lucknow Commercial Department inspected 117 trains across the Lucknow region, seizing 5,241 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water.
On August 10, IRCTC's Chandigarh Regional Office carried out inspections at stations including Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Katra and Jammu. A total of 51 trains were inspected, resulting in the seizure of 3,108 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water.
But the crackdown was not limited to water. During two surprise inspections at Ambala on August 10, QRTs seized 13 cartons of unapproved products, including ice cream and flavored milk. A similar drive at Saharanpur Railway Station also found and seized unapproved ice creams, beverages and packaged drinking water.
IRCTC's inspections are being carried out across different zones. At Sabarmati BG Railway Station in the West Zone, a surprise inspection of Train Nos. 19223 and 19031 found unauthorized packaged drinking water and buttermilk being loaded onto the trains. The products were seized for further action.
At Howrah on August 8, a QRT and the Commercial Department conducted a surprise inspection and seized unauthorized food and beverage items, which were disposed of.
Between August 8 and 14, QRT teams also conducted pre-board, surprise and onboard inspections across Guwahati, Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri and Dibrugarh. The checks covered both trains and static catering units.
Teams looked at unauthorized packaged drinking water and food, catering violations, overcharging, staff documentation, hygiene, pest control, equipment, and passenger service standards. Unapproved packaged drinking water and food products were seized and disposed of at multiple locations.
IRCTC has advised all catering service providers to ensure their staff do not load, stock or sell unauthorized food and beverage products. Any violation can attract strict penal action under the applicable license terms and conditions.
The QRT teams have now been activated across all IRCTC zones and regions. IRCTC said the intensive inspections will continue in coordination with the concerned commercial railway departments.
