Passengers can complain about non-functioning water vending machines in railway stations on toll free number

The minister informed that catering services are provided by Zonal Railways and Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC)  to passengers departmentally or through private licensees in trains  in accordance with the provisions of Catering Policy 2010 and other instructions issued from time to time. 

At present, 117 mobile units are being managed by IRCTC.

In its endeavour to provide quality and hygienic food to the passengers, the minister said that Railways has developed and operationalized an institutionalized mechanism for monitoring of quality and hygiene of catering services through regular inspections at various levels to address catering complaints. 

He said that penal action is taken against the licensee depending upon the gravity of offense which inter-alia includes imposition of hefty fines, termination of contract etc.

The minister said that it is the Railways’ endeavour to provide potable drinking water at all stations on Indian Railways as per norms.

Provision of Reverse Osmosis (RO) drinking water units has been taken up at identified major stations on experimental basis based on passenger volume and techno-economic viability.

Around 250 stations have been provided with the facility of Water Vending Machines (WVMs) by IRCTC for providing pure drinking water to passengers at nominal rates.

IRCTC has awarded licenses for installation of 2,500 WVMs over Indian Railways out of which 832 WVMs have been commissioned.

WVMs are to be operated round the clock either through operator or in automatic mode.

In order to ensure quick disposal of complaints against the working of installed WVMs, a toll free number 1800-111-139 has been provided by IRCTC on which passengers may lodge their complaint regarding malfunctioning of WVMs.

Image: Suresh Prabhu Twitter