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.

Indian Railways , the backbone of India's transportation system, has announced a significant change in its fare structure set to take effect from July 1, 2025. This move is expected to impact millions of passengers across the country.

Fare Hike Details

The fare increase has been strategically planned across different travel classes:

• Non-AC Mail/Express fares will see a modest increase of 1 paise per kilometer.
• AC class travel will experience a slightly higher increase of 2 paise per kilometer.

Exemptions and Considerations

In a move that considers the needs of regular commuters and short-distance travelers, the Railways has decided to keep certain fares unchanged:

• Suburban train tickets will not see any price increase.
• Second-class travel for distances up to 500 km will remain at current rates.

This decision suggests an attempt to balance revenue generation with the needs of daily commuters and those traveling shorter distances.

New Authentication Requirement for Tatkal Bookings

In addition to the fare adjustments, Indian Railways is implementing a new security measure for Tatkal bookings:

• From July 1, 2025, passengers will be required to provide Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal ticket reservations.

This step is likely aimed at enhancing the security and authenticity of the Tatkal booking process, which is popular for last-minute travel plans.

Conclusion

The fare hike and new authentication requirement for Tatkal bookings represent significant changes in Indian Railways' operations. While the increased fares may impact travel costs for some passengers, the exemptions for certain categories suggest an effort to minimize the impact on daily commuters and short-distance travelers. The introduction of Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal bookings marks a move towards increased security in the reservation process.

As these changes are set to take effect in 2025, passengers have ample time to adjust their travel plans and budgets accordingly. The impact of these changes on passenger traffic and railway revenues will be closely watched by both travelers and industry observers alike.