IRCTC launches crackdown on unauthorised e-catering operators; begins legal action

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation IRCTC has launched a nationwide crackdown on unauthorised ecatering operators allegedly offering food delivery services to railway passengers without approval officials saidThe move is aimed at protecting passengers from food safety risks cyber fraud and financial losses linked to unauthorised websites and mobile applications that misuse IRCTCs branding and services an official statement saidIRCTC said it has initiated legal and criminal proceedings against several operators found to be offering unauthorised food delivery services on the Indian Railways networkAccording to IRCTC a legal notice was first issued to noncompliant operators on 18 February 2026 This was followed by official criminal complaints filed on 16 March and 11 April 2026The organisation stated that action has been initiated against several websites allegedly involved in unauthorised railway food delivery activities including RailRestro RailMitra TravelKhana TrainsCafe DibRail RailFood ComeSum TravelerFood FoodOnTrackin eCateringapp KhanaOnline TrainWay RailMeal and TrainMenuIRCTC highlighted several risks associated with unauthorised ecatering servicesThe corporation warned that meals supplied through such platforms may originate from unregulated food outlets that do not follow food safety and hygiene standards prescribed by food authoritiesIt also raised concerns about cyber security stating that passengers may be asked to share personal information such as PNR numbers contact details email addresses and payment information on unverified platformsAccording to IRCTC this could expose travellers to phishing attacks financial fraud and misuse of personal dataPassengers advised to use official channelsIRCTC has urged railway passengers to order meals only through its official ecatering channels and authorised partnersPassengers can book meals through The official IRCTC eCatering website The Food on Track mobile application The IRCTC call centre 1323 Authorised IRCTC ecatering partner platformsThe corporation said these channels provide verified billing secure payment systems customer support and quality assuranceEcatering network continues to expandIRCTCs ecatering service allows passengers travelling on reserved trains to prebook meals and receive them directly at their seats during the journeyThe service currently operates at more than 400 railway stations across India and works with over 629 direct vendors and 5604 restaurant partners through 13 authorised food aggregatorsIn April 2026 alone passengers booked an average of 155 lakh meals per day through the platformPopular food brands available on trainIRCTCs ecatering platform offers food from several wellknown restaurant brands including Behrouz Biryani Bikanervala Biryani Blues Biryani By Kilo Dominos Faasos Firangi Bake Haldirams KFC La Pinoz Pizza Lunchbox McDonalds Oven Story Pizza Hut and Sweet TruthThe platform also partners with food delivery aggregators such as Zomato and Swiggy to expand food choices for railway passengersIRCTC said the crackdown forms part of its broader effort to improve passenger safety food quality and service reliability on Indian Railways