Facing CAG criticism, IRCTC forms new policy to upgrade food quality

The statement came after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report on Friday, had termed the food served at stations and in trains “unfit for human consumption”.

A day after the CAG released a report critical of the food served in stations and trains, the Ministry of Railways on Saturday said the IRCTC has formed a new catering policy by unbundling the current services on trains.

An employee prepares a food trolley onboard the Tejas Express luxury train during its first journey between Mumbai and Goa in Mumbai on May 22, 2017. (AFP File Photo)

In order to better the quality of food, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) will set up new kitchens and upgrade the existing ones, the ministry said in an official statement.

The IRCTC has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction, primarily, between food preparation and its distribution, it said.

The statement came after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report on Friday, had termed the food served at stations and in trains “unfit for human consumption”.

The ministry said as per the new catering policy of 2017, the IRCTC will manage the services on all mobile units and pantry car contracts will be reassigned to the railways’ catering arm.

Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by the IRCTC, it said.