This refers to the editorial, “Unhealthy food on tracks” (July 24). I thought over the years there has been qualitative improvement in certain areas in the Indian Railways, especially after Suresh Prabhu took over as the Railway Minister. But the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India’s (CAG) has come out with baffling findings after conducting a joint inspection at 74 railway stations and on 80 trains. This is shameful. Railways is the lifeline for more than 8.6 billion passengers every year.
The report found that the food served by the railways in trains and at railway stations unsuitable for human consumption. A question often asked when the issue of the introduction of bullet trains comes up is whether they will be safe in Indian conditions. Now, with the latest CAG’s report, we must ask a more basic question — is it safe to eat and drink the fare on offerIJ Clearly, it is not. As far as I believe, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation manages the catering services. It, however, does not cook or supply the food that is served to the passengers on train. Services are provided by private firms which are awarded the contacts after an open tender. For high-end travellers what matters the most are safety, hygiene, quality food and punctuality. Is the Minister listeningIJ