New Delhi: Cracking down on errant caterers, railways have terminated a food contract and blacklisted 16 contractors besides collecting a fine of Rs 1.8 crore in 2,108 cases related to food complaints in the last one year.
In its endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food to passengers, railways have developed and operationalised an institutionalised mechanism for monitoring of quality and hygiene of catering services through regular inspections at various levels to address catering complaints.
A centralised catering service monitoring cell (CSMC) has been operationalised to monitor and address the complaints from passengers besides a toll free number (1800-111- 321) for prompt redressal of passenger grievances relating to catering has been in operation for real time assistance to the travelling public.
The CSMC gives real time assistance to 250-300 passengers per day, said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with catering.
On the stringest measures taken against caterers, he said one contract has been terminated, another is under notice for termination while 16 contractors have been blacklisted for breach of terms of contracts in the last one year.
Penal action arising out of irregularities, complaints and inspections are regularly taken against the licensee depending upon the gravity of lapse.
Inspections at various levels are conducted in trains and stations wherein feedback from passengers through surveys for enhanced satisfaction of the passengers is taken.
A Twitter handle with the address @IRCATERING has also been made operational to cater to the complaints/suggestions with regard to catering services.
Another helpline (138) for rail-users to lodge complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services is operational.
Railways have also implemented e-catering facility at 357 major stations to provide wider options to passengers.
Introduction of ready to eat and precooked food on trains has also been introduced through IRCTC to ensure supply of hot meals.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In its endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food to passengers, railways have developed and operationalised an institutionalised mechanism for monitoring of quality and hygiene of catering services through regular inspections at various levels to address catering complaints.
A centralised catering service monitoring cell (CSMC) has been operationalised to monitor and address the complaints from passengers besides a toll free number (1800-111- 321) for prompt redressal of passenger grievances relating to catering has been in operation for real time assistance to the travelling public.
On the stringest measures taken against caterers, he said one contract has been terminated, another is under notice for termination while 16 contractors have been blacklisted for breach of terms of contracts in the last one year.
Advertisement
Inspections at various levels are conducted in trains and stations wherein feedback from passengers through surveys for enhanced satisfaction of the passengers is taken.
Advertisement
Another helpline (138) for rail-users to lodge complaints/suggestions regarding food and catering services is operational.
Advertisement
Introduction of ready to eat and precooked food on trains has also been introduced through IRCTC to ensure supply of hot meals.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Amid Row Over Lesser Seats, Railways Add 92 General Coaches In 46 Trains Railways To Roll Out Another 10,000 Non-AC Coaches For Common Man Video Shows Water Leaking From Roof Of Vande Bharat Train, Railways Responds World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report Puja Khedkar's Mother Was Hiding In Lodge As "Indubai" Using Fake ID Infosys Posts 7% Increase In Q1 Net Profit At Rs 6,386 Crore Watch: Rescue Teams Crawl Through Derailed Coaches Looking For Survivors Delhi Court Refers BRS leader K Kavitha To AIIMS For Medical Check-Up Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.