IRCTC seizes 8,000+ unapproved water bottles
India's Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has heightened its inspections of trains and railway stations to prevent the sale of unauthorized packaged drinking water, food, and beverages to passengers. As part of this intensified campaign, IRCTC has deployed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in various zones and regions to carry out regular and surprise checks. The crackdown has already yielded significant results, with over 8,000 bottles of unapproved water seized alone.
Between July 28 and August 8, IRCTC officials, along with the Lucknow Commercial Department, inspected 117 trains in the Lucknow region and seized 5,241 bottles of unauthorized packaged drinking water. On August 10, inspections at multiple stations including Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Katra, and Jammu led to the seizure of an additional 3,108 bottles of unauthorized packaged drinking water and ice cream and flavored milk products.
The crackdown extends beyond just water, with recent inspections uncovering unapproved ice creams, beverages, and packaged drinking water. In Sabarmati BG Railway Station, unapproved packaged drinking water and buttermilk were seized. In Howrah, other unapproved food and beverage products were also found and disposed of. The QRT teams have conducted pre-board, surprise, and onboard inspections across various locations including Guwahati, Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri, and Dibrugarh.
Catering providers found violating the rules can face stringent penal action as per their licence terms and conditions, ensuring greater accountability among railway catering operators. IRCTC's QRT system has now been activated across all zones and regions, with inspections continuing in coordination with railway commercial departments.
Passengers are urged to be cautious when purchasing packaged water, food, or beverages during their train journeys, as the intensified inspections aim to prevent unauthorized products from reaching passengers and ensure safer, more hygienic catering services on railways.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
