NEW DELHI, JULY 8 (PTI): Flagging the unhygienic conditions in pantry cars of several trains, the Railway Ministry has issued a stern warning to all zones directing them to strictly follow the cleaning protocols issued repeatedly since 2010.
“Instructions have been issued from time to time regarding cleaning, fumigation, disinfection, and pest and rodent control of pantry cars at primary depots. Despite these instructions, reports regarding pest and rodent infestations and dirty conditions in pantry cars continue to be received from various sources,” the ministry said in a letter dated July 7, addressed to all zonal railways.
The letter further stated that such occurrences adversely affect passenger comfort, hygiene, and the image of Indian Railways, and therefore warrant immediate and sustained attention.
“In view of the above, it is once again reiterated that all zonal railways must follow the instructions issued by the Railway Board on a regular basis for cleaning, maintenance, fumigation, disinfection, and pest and rodent control of pantry cars,” the ministry said.
The ministry had found similar violations of its cleanliness instructions earlier in 2024 and had issued a stern warning, stating: “It has been reported that in some depots, implementation of these instructions has been discontinued and they are not being followed on a regular basis. This has been viewed seriously.”
According to the detailed norms regarding the maintenance and safety of pantry cars issued by the ministry in 2010 and 2011, rodent control treatment should be ensured during every trip as part of maintenance, while pest control must be repeated every 15 days or earlier, as per requirement.
Similarly, the ministry had noticed that staff employed by companies contracted for catering work were in the habit of littering the vestibule portions of coaches with garbage and waste material, including leftover food and paper/plastic plates.
In several cases, railway officials found that staff of licensee companies were throwing surplus and leftover food items while approaching terminal stations. Some were also found dumping leftover food near Carriage and Wagon (C&W) maintenance depots and washing lines.
“After several complaints, the ministry issued norms in 2011 regarding garbage disposal, and stations were nominated for the purpose. Several instructions have been issued to catering firms, station managers, and commercial staff,” an official said.
“Despite this, cases continue to emerge where staff of licensee firms throw waste food or paper plates carelessly inside trains or outside them while trains are running, in violation of norms. The ministry and the concerned zones continue to take action in such cases,” the official added.
Officials admitted that the ministry’s norms are not being followed strictly due to negligence on the part of the zonal railways as well as Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which is responsible for ensuring that companies awarded catering contracts comply with these guidelines.
