New Rule: Railway Catering Staff Uniform Branding Mandated
Indian Railways mandates catering staff to wear company names and contact numbers on uniforms to improve food quality and passenger accountability.
Indian Railways is introducing mandatory catering staff uniform branding to enhance transparency and passenger safety. Under a new regulatory requirement, all private catering employees operating on board trains must now display their company name and a mobile contact number clearly on their T-shirts.
This initiative is designed to make catering personnel easily identifiable, ensuring that passengers know exactly which service provider is responsible for their meals and refreshments.
Boosting Accountability and Food Quality
The decision comes as a direct response to the ongoing challenges in monitoring onboard food services. Currently, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) manages approximately 20 to 25 complaints every single day. These grievances typically involve two major issues: substandard food quality and unauthorized overcharging.
With the new branding requirement, passengers will be empowered to take immediate action. By having the company's contact details readily available on the staff's uniform, travelers can file direct complaints against specific catering companies, forcing higher standards of service and pricing integrity.
The rollout of this directive will initially focus on Premium and Express train services before potentially expanding further.
A Digital Leap in Vendor Verification
This move is part of a broader modernization strategy for railway catering oversight. It follows the recent implementation of QR code-enabled identity cards for authorized vendors. These digital IDs provide a high level of security, containing verified information such as:
- The vendor's name and credentials
- Aadhaar-linked details
- Medical clearance status
- Police verification records
Strict Enforcement Against Unauthorized Vendors
Indian Railways is also intensifying its crackdown on illegal food vending. Authorities are strictly enforcing regulations under Section 144 of the Railways Act, 1989, to prevent unauthorized individuals from operating on trains.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Train Ticket Examiners (TTEs) are conducting regular, rigorous inspections across the network. Their mission is to identify and remove unauthorized vendors to ensure that passengers only consume food from verified, safe, and accountable sources.