New Delhi, December 28: In a bid to provide hygienic and good quality food to all its passengers, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has upgraded the kitchen units in express trains and is also setting up new kitchens. To ensure centralised monitoring of the kitchen activities, CCTVs have been installed in Base Kitchens/Kitchen Units. According to a government release, only potable drinking water is used for cooking of food on Indian Railways.

Apart from maintaining hygiene, the Indian Railways have taken several other measures to improve amenities for travellers. Food Safety Supervisors have been deployed at Kitchen Units to monitor food safety and hygienic practices. Also, food samples collected by Food Safety Officers/Supervisors are sent to the nominated accredited Laboratories under the Food Safety & Standard Act for analysis and testing. IRCTC Train Ticket Transfer: Now You Can Transfer Your Confirmed Ticket & Reservations. 

The release states that penalties are imposed in cases of detection of unsatisfactory food samples and prosecutions are carried out as per provisions of Food Safety & Standard Rule -2011. Moreover, the quality of food, hygiene and cleanliness in Pantry Cars and Kitchen Units is examined through Third Party Audit. A customer satisfaction survey is also conducted through them. New Tatkal Ticket Booking Rules: IRCTC Train Reservation Timings, Cancellation Charges And Refund Rules. 

The IRCTC has already taken over management of 377 mobile units (pairs of trains with pantry Cars) and 262 static units/Kitchen Units an has upgraded 30 Base Kitchens/ Kitchen Units. IRCTC is closely monitoring the quality of food preparation through various modalities, e.g. CCTV, Food safety supervisors, IRCTC supervisor, food sampling in NABL accredited labs, Third Party Audit.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2018 03:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).