NEW DELHI, Aug 8: The Government informed Rajya Sabha today that Indian Railways imposed penalties amounting to Rs13.2 crore in 2024-25 to address passenger complaints and maintain high standards in catering services.
Serving an average of 16.5 lakh meals daily across static catering units such as Jan Ahaar, food plazas, and refreshment rooms, the Railways recorded a remarkably low average of just 46 grievances per day -constituting a mere 0.003% of the total meals served.
This information was shared by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to questions in the Upper House.
Minister Vaishnaw elaborated that passenger feedback, alongside inputs from elected representatives and catering associations, is meticulously examined.
“Indian Railways takes stringent action against substandard services, including imposing financial penalties to ensure accountability among vendors and contractors,” he said. These penalties form part of a sustained effort to enhance the quality and reliability of catering services for millions of passengers daily.
Highlighting Railways’ broader commitment to affordable travel, the Minister noted that the network provides transportation to over 720 crore passengers annually, with fares among the lowest globally, including in comparison to neighbouring countries. The provisional subsidy on passenger travel for FY 2023-24 is estimated at Rs 60,466 crore.
Continuous monitoring and timely corrective actions remain central to ensuring uninterrupted and efficient catering services across the extensive Railways network, he added. (UNI)
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