Court demands better monitoring of railway foodservice

Having been petitioned by a former employee of India’s expansive rail network, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the railway ministry, telling it to ensure platform and on-track food services stick to the regulations governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The petitioner, Sardar Jagjit Singh, a retired food inspector, said urgent measures were needed to guarantee the safety of foods sold at restaurants, stalls and staff canteens run by the national rail companies, as well as through onboard caterers.

His lawyer claimed that cases of adulterated foods have been rife. Citing a TV news report on the situation, KC Mittal said: “The worst is the insensitivity and the failure on the part of the respondents to take adequate steps to ensure sale and supply of unadulterated, wholesome and hygienic food to 23m passengers who travel everyday by train in different parts of the country​.”

Singh alleged that better monitoring was needed by rail companies and public contractors. 

The case will be heard in the High Court next week.