Indian Railways Imposes Ten Lakh Rupee Fine After Expired Food Found in Rajdhani Express Kitchen

Indian Railways continues its strict crackdown on onboard catering quality by penalizing a base kitchen supplying the Rajdhani Express.

Passengers traveling on premier trains expect the highest standards of hygiene and food safety. To address recurring concerns regarding catering quality, the national transporter has taken strict punitive action to protect passenger health.

Indian Railways has imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh following the discovery of expired food items at a base kitchen serving the Rajdhani Express. The surprise raid uncovered significant irregularities in food storage and hygiene protocols. This enforcement action is part of a broader nationwide drive by the carrier to ensure absolute compliance with food safety regulations across its extensive network.

Strict Enforcement and Enforcement Data

Official data highlights the scale of action taken against erring vendors. In the three years leading up to August 7, 2026, the railways imposed fines totaling ₹5.13 crore, issued 54 show-cause notices, terminated 6 contracts, and debarred defaulting licensees for various food safety violations. These figures reflect a zero-tolerance policy toward negligence in food preparation for train passengers.

Modernizing Kitchens and Enhancing Transparency

To prevent such incidents from recurring, the leadership has stepped up technological oversight. Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar recently directed officials to enhance catering monitoring systems, including the integration of AI and the installation of additional PTZ cameras in storage facilities to ensure transparency.

Additionally, passenger empowerment remains a key focus area. Indian Railways is implementing QR codes on meal packets, allowing passengers to verify packing dates and FSSAI certification details directly. This transparency measure ensures that travelers can easily check the freshness of their meals before consumption. These ongoing crackdowns and technological upgrades remain a top priority for the ministry as it continues to improve catering services and resolve passenger grievances more efficiently through the automated Rail Madad platform.