Tatanagar: Growing complaints on food quality served through Rail Madad App, SER initiates inspection

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, August 31: A significant rise in passenger complaints about food services on the Rail Madad App has prompted the South East Railway Zone to take action. Orders have been issued for surprise inspections of train pantry cars, station restaurants, stalls, and base kitchens.

To address the issue, a dedicated team of 25 commercial and catering officers (CCM, DCM, ACM, and CI) from various stations and four divisions, including Tatanagar, Chakradharpur, Ranchi, Hatia, and Bokaro, has been formed. This team will assess the cleanliness, quality of food and snacks, and pricing in these areas. Passenger feedback will also be collected during the inspections.

Garden Reach has requisitioned the surprise inspection reports by September 2, with instructions to update any deficiencies daily on a Google Sheet, including the names of the inspected trains and stations.

Since the Indian Railways handed over the responsibility of pantry cars, station restaurants, and Jan Aahar canteens to IRCTC, complaints about catering services have increased. The Rail Madad App has seen a surge in complaints related to food spoilage and overcharging in trains and stations.

In response, the Commerce and Catering Department has collected fines exceeding one lakh rupees in three months from the restaurants and stalls at Tatanagar station. Based on the ongoing investigation that started on August 27, the Railway Commercial Department will take strict action against operators of pantry cars, restaurants, stalls, and base kitchens, including the possible cancellation of catering licenses.

Meanwhile, the Jan Aahar canteen, which has been closed for seven months at Tatanagar station, is expected to reopen soon. The station’s train-side vending service is also currently suspended. In the interest of passenger convenience, the South East Railway Zone has issued a tender for the operation of the Jan Aahar canteen. However, a catering agency has declined to operate five stalls at Tatanagar station, raising the possibility of their closure by March next if no new operator was found.