The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a stringent enforcement drive to identify and curb unauthorised e-catering websites and mobile applications operating across the Indian Railways network. The initiative aims to protect passengers from risks associated with food safety, hygiene, data privacy and financial security arising from the use of unverified food-ordering platforms.
According to IRCTC, unauthorised e-catering platforms may source meals from unlicensed food outlets that do not comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations and prescribed hygiene standards. Such outlets may operate in unhygienic conditions, employ untrained food handlers and use delivery personnel who have not undergone mandatory medical examinations, potentially compromising food quality and passenger safety.
The corporation has also flagged concerns over the handling of sensitive passenger information by unverified platforms. Sharing details such as Passenger Name Record (PNR) numbers, email addresses, mobile numbers and payment credentials, including debit and credit card details or UPI information, can expose passengers to phishing attempts, identity misuse and financial fraud.
Passengers using these services may also face cancelled or delayed orders, non-delivery and inadequate customer support. In the absence of formal grievance-redressal mechanisms, affected customers may find it difficult to obtain refunds or pursue appropriate legal remedies.
To address these concerns, IRCTC is taking action against entities operating e-catering services without authorisation or misusing the corporation’s brand and identity to conduct unauthorised business. The enforcement drive has been intensified, with the corporation moving beyond warnings to initiate stringent legal action against non-compliant entities.
The initiative forms part of IRCTC’s efforts to safeguard the health, safety, privacy and financial interests of railway passengers. The corporation’s advisory highlights the importance of using authorised e-catering platforms for ordering food during train journeys and exercising caution before sharing personal or payment information online.