Railway passengers, beware of what you buy onboard: IRCTC seizes 8,000+ water bottles, ice creams & other food products

Passengers travelling by train may want to think twice before buying packaged water or food from unauthorised sellers onboard. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has intensified inspections across railway stations and trains to curb the sale of unapproved packaged drinking water, food, beverages and other products.

As part of the drive, IRCTC has activated Quick Response Teams (QRTs) across its zones and regions. The teams are conducting regular and surprise checks in coordination with the commercial departments of the Indian Railways.

IRCTC seizes more than 8,000 bottles of unapproved water

The latest inspections in the North Zone resulted in the seizure of 8,349 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water.


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Between July 28 and August 8, IRCTC officials, along with the Lucknow Commercial Department, inspected 117 trains across the Lucknow region. The teams seized 5,241 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water during these checks.

On August 10, the IRCTC Chandigarh Regional Office carried out inspections at several stations, including Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Katra and Jammu.

A total of 51 trains were inspected, resulting in the seizure of another 3,108 bottles of unapproved packaged drinking water.

IRCTC checks find unauthorised ice cream and flavoured milk

The crackdown is not restricted to packaged drinking water.

During two surprise inspections at Ambala on August 10, QRTs seized 13 cartons of unapproved products, including ice cream and flavoured milk.

A similar inspection at Saharanpur Railway Station also uncovered unapproved ice creams, beverages and packaged drinking water, which were seized for further action.

The inspections are aimed at ensuring that food and beverage products sold to railway passengers comply with prescribed standards.

Railway food safety checks expand beyond North Zone

IRCTC’s intensified inspections are also being carried out in other railway zones.

At Sabarmati BG Railway Station in the West Zone, a surprise inspection of Train Nos. 19223 and 19031 found unauthorised packaged drinking water and buttermilk being loaded onto the trains.

The products were seized during the inspection for further action.

At Howrah on August 8, a QRT team and the Commercial Department conducted a surprise inspection and seized unauthorised food and beverage products. The items were subsequently disposed of.

IRCTC conducts checks at stations and inside trains

Between August 8 and August 14, QRT teams conducted pre-board, surprise and onboard inspections at locations including Guwahati, Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri and Dibrugarh.

The checks covered both trains and static catering units.

Officials inspected several aspects of railway catering operations, including:

• Unauthorised packaged drinking water and food products
• Catering-related violations
• Overcharging of passengers
• Staff documentation
• Hygiene standards
• Pest control measures
• Catering equipment
• Passenger service standards

Unapproved food and packaged drinking water were seized and disposed of at several locations during the inspections.

What happens if railway catering providers break the rules?

IRCTC has directed catering service providers to ensure that their employees do not load, stock or sell unauthorised food and beverage products.

Catering providers found violating the rules can face strict penal action under the applicable licence terms and conditions.

The move is intended to make catering operators more accountable while improving food safety and hygiene for railway passengers.

IRCTC Quick Response Teams to continue inspections

The QRT system has now been activated across all IRCTC zones and regions.

IRCTC said the intensive inspection campaign will continue in coordination with the concerned railway commercial departments.

For passengers, the crackdown is particularly relevant when buying packaged water, food or beverages during train journeys. The latest seizures show that railway authorities are stepping up checks against products that have not been approved for sale.

With inspections continuing across stations and trains, IRCTC’s focus remains on preventing unauthorised products from reaching passengers and ensuring safer, more hygienic railway catering services.


Inputs from agencies