IRCTC intensifies crackdown on unapproved food and water.

Surprise inspections across zones lead to seizure of thousands of bottles.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a nationwide drive to curb the sale of unauthorised packaged drinking water and food items on trains and at railway stations. To ensure passenger safety and hygiene, IRCTC has activated Quick Response Teams (QRTs) across all zones, conducting surprise checks in coordination with railway commercial departments.

The inspections have revealed widespread violations, particularly involving packaged drinking water (PDW) that does not meet prescribed standards. In the North Zone alone, officials seized more than 8,300 bottles of unapproved water during inspections carried out between July 28 and August 8, 2026. The Lucknow region accounted for 5,241 bottles across 117 trains, while Chandigarh teams confiscated 3,108 bottles during checks at Ambala, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Katra, and Jammu.

The crackdown has not been limited to water. At Ambala station, QRTs discovered 13 cartons of unauthorised products including ice cream and flavoured milk. Similar raids at Saharanpur unearthed unapproved beverages and packaged water. In the West Zone, inspections at Sabarmati BG Railway Station found unauthorised water and buttermilk being loaded onto trains. Meanwhile, in Howrah, officials disposed of seized food and beverage items after a surprise check.

The drive has extended to the Northeast as well, with teams inspecting trains and catering units across Guwahati, Kamakhya, Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri, and Dibrugarh between August 8 and 14. These checks covered not only unauthorised products but also hygiene standards, pest control measures, staff documentation, and compliance with service protocols.

IRCTC has issued stern warnings to catering providers, instructing them to refrain from stocking or selling unapproved products. Violations will attract strict penalties under licence agreements. Officials emphasised that the inspections are part of an ongoing effort to raise the quality of catering services and protect passengers from substandard food and beverages.

With QRTs now active across all zones, IRCTC has signalled that these surprise inspections will continue regularly. The corporation’s message is clear: only authorised, hygienic, and quality-approved products will be permitted on trains and at stations, ensuring safer journeys for millions of passengers nationwide.