India train food 'not fit for human consumption'

[Species]

Image captionPassengers have often complained about the railways' catering service

Food served on board Indian trains and at railway stations is unfit for human consumption, an official report says.

The annual audit report said checks on 80 trains and at 74 stations had found that some food was contaminated, while packaged and bottled items were past their expiry date.

Food was stored in the open, attracting flies, rats and cockroaches, it added.

India has one of the largest railway networks in the world, used by around 23 million passengers daily.

Built mostly under British colonial rule, the railway network is the backbone of public transport.

• Why do India's trains keep going off the rails?

But its catering services have often come under criticism from passengers and Indian Railways announced a new catering policy in February.

The report by India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionThe railways announced a new catering policy to improve quality
The audit found:

• Unpurified water used for beverages
• Waste bins uncovered, not emptied regularly and not washed
• Food stuffs unprotected from flies, insects and dust
• Rats and cockroaches found in trains

The report blames frequent policy changes and the failure of Indian Railways to provide kitchens, static catering units, and automatic vending machines.

In a series of tweets, the railway ministry said on Friday that the new catering policy announced on 27 February would lead to quality food for rail passengers. It promised new kitchens and upgrades to existing ones.

See more at - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40681891

 

[Species]

@scorpionx you once said the services of the Indian Railways have improved and was no more like the one depicted by the tourist in TripAdvisor forum?

 

[313ghazi]

it's a good thing it's mostly Indians eating it then.

 

[scorpionx]

@scorpionx you once said the services of the Indian Railways have improved and was no more like the one depicted by the tourist in TripAdvisor forum?

This report is old. Remember, this is world's largest rail network. Such sporadic complains we often hear every now and then and it is bound to happen in such a large network. It is not a flawless system and no body disagrees.

 

[tw00tw00]

This report is old. Remember, this is world's largest rail network. Such sporadic complains we often here every now and then and it is bound to happen in such a large network. It is not a flawless system and no body disagrees.

This report is only 5 hours old.

 

[Glockaholic]

Do they serve cow pis cocktails

 

[wiseone2]

without competition this is what happens

 

[lastofthepatriots]

Indian soldiers may disagree since they get even shittier food, If no food at all.

If they complain, they get killed:

 

[Jacob Martin]

Indian railways is disgusting and pathetic. It is a blot on any civilized nation. For a country where we cannot stop singing peans about gareeb and kisaan, how we maintain their primary mode of transportation tells a lot about what we actually think of them.

 

[turbofan7a]

Indian soldiers may disagree since they get even shittier food, If no food at all.

If they complain, they get killed:

despite that they are fighting terrorists sent from across the border now, that is called is patriotism.

 

[padamchen]

Traveled by train last in 2010. Duronto to Delhi.

For a guy who's grown up traveling every year on the Geetanjali and Bombay Mail, this train was a culture shock.

Luxury. Way better than a plane. Fantastic food. Superb service.

Newspaper. Water. Clean sheets, pilliow covers, and blankets. Spotless white. Wideeeee berths.

Food. Snacks. Sweets. Tea. Coffee. Constant and prompt attention and service.

It was a really nice experience.

Cheers, Doc

 

[SrNair]

Hope the situation will improve after those 5 trillion Rs investment of WB

Traveled by train last in 2010. Duronto to Delhi.

For a guy who's grown up traveling every year on the Geetanjali and Bombay Mail, this train was a culture shock.

Luxury. Way better than a plane. Fantastic food. Superb service.

Newspaper. Water. Clean sheets, pilliow covers, and blankets. Spotless white. Wideeeee berths.

It was a really nice experience.

Cheers, Doc

Then we have a Tejas experiences recently .
We have seen how some Mumbai treated this effort of IR

 

[padamchen]

Hope the situation will improve after those 5 trillion Rs investment of WB




Then we have a Tejas experiences recently .
We have seen how some Mumbai treated this effort of IR

Not the Railways fault.

Looking forward to trains where we can get on early evening and reach our destination comfortably next morning.

Anywhere in the country.

Cheers, Doc

 

[SrNair]

Not the Railways fault.

Looking forward to trains where we can get on early evening and reach our destination comfortably next morning.

Anywhere in the country.

Cheers, Doc

Of course it was the passengers that destroyed new brand Tejas train

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

What a coincidence I just rode a train last week. In indonesia even if you ride in an economic class the food is good. Not great but you get what you paid for.