IRCTC has announced a significant change in its leadership team. The company's Board of Directors has appointed Shri Manoj Kumar Sharma as a Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), effective August 4, 2025. This appointment marks an important step in IRCTC's management structure.

New Role for an Experienced Railway Officer

Manoj Kumar Sharma, who currently serves as the Director (Catering Services) at IRCTC, brings a wealth of experience to his new role as a KMP. Sharma is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer from the 1995 batch, boasting an impressive 28 years of experience in the railway sector.

Extensive Background in Railway Operations

Prior to this appointment, Sharma has been associated with IRCTC since March 12, 2024, serving as the Group General Manager for the North Zone. His extensive career in the Indian Railways spans across four zones:

• Northern Railway
• Northeast Frontier Railway
• North Eastern Railway
• South East Central Railway

Diverse Expertise

Throughout his career, Sharma has been actively involved in various aspects of railway operations, including:

• Marketing and Business Development
• Operations and Transportation
• Planning and Project Development
• Vigilance and Safety
• Information Technology

This diverse experience positions him well for his new role as a Key Managerial Personnel at IRCTC.

Official Appointment Details

The appointment was officially approved by IRCTC's Board of Directors during a meeting held on August 4, 2025. This information was disclosed in compliance with Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosures Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Looking Ahead

With Manoj Kumar Sharma's appointment as a KMP, IRCTC reinforces its management team with a seasoned professional who brings decades of railway sector experience. This move is expected to contribute to the company's ongoing efforts to enhance its services and operations in the dynamic landscape of Indian railways and tourism.

IRCTC continues to play a crucial role in India's railway and tourism sectors, and this latest appointment underscores its commitment to strengthening its leadership to meet future challenges and opportunities.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the catering and tourism arm of Indian Railways, has come under scrutiny as Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed a significant number of food quality complaints in the current fiscal year.

Complaint Statistics and Actions Taken

According to Minister Vaishnaw, IRCTC received 6,645 complaints regarding poor food quality in 2024-25. In response to these grievances, the railway authority has taken various punitive and corrective measures:

• Fines imposed on food suppliers in 1,341 cases
• Warnings issued in 2,995 cases
• Advisories given in 1,547 cases
• Other measures taken in 762 cases

Historical Trend of Complaints

The minister also provided historical data on food quality complaints, showing a fluctuating trend over the past few years:

Parliamentary Inquiry and Contract Transparency

The issue came to light following questions raised by CPI(M) MP John Brittas regarding food quality and contract transparency in train services. In response, Minister Vaishnaw clarified that IRCTC awards catering contracts through transparent tender processes to the highest bidders.

Current Catering Contracts

The minister stated that catering contracts have been awarded to 20 entities across various train clusters, including:

• Vande Bharat services
• Long-distance train services

Quality Control Measures

To address food quality concerns, IRCTC has implemented several measures:

1. Establishment of designated Base Kitchens
2. Installation of CCTV cameras for monitoring
3. Utilization of branded raw materials
4. Deployment of Food Safety Supervisors

These steps aim to enhance the overall quality and safety of food served on Indian Railways.

The rising number of complaints over the years highlights the ongoing challenges IRCTC faces in maintaining food quality standards across its vast network. As the company continues to implement stricter measures, passengers and stakeholders will be watching closely to see if these efforts result in improved food quality and customer satisfaction on Indian trains.