Report

The Railway Police launched a surprise inspection drive across 15 major Kerala railway stations on Thursday, cracking down on food safety violations in train services. They named the initiative ‘Operation Pothichoru’, focusing on food parcel centres, IRCTC-operated kitchens, and refreshment stalls, especially those that serve premium trains like Vande Bharat. A surge in passenger complaints filed through the ‘Rail Madad’ and ‘Rail Alert’ apps prompted the operation. Commuters reported spoiled food, foreign objects in meals, and illnesses after consumption, sparking concerns over the quality of onboard catering.

Railway Teams Target Premium Kitchens and Key Stations

Railway teams inspected top Kerala Railway Stations, including Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam North and South, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kannur, and others. They focused on kitchens that supply food to premium services, closely examining IRCTC kitchens and private vendors for lapses in hygiene and handling. At many sites, local health officials joined the Railway Police to assess food safety standards. Where health staff were unavailable, police officers conducted independent checks for visible violations, unhygienic practices, and unsafe storage or preparation.

Officers Issue On-the-Spot Warnings, Promise More Raids

Inspection teams examined cooking areas, packaging methods, and hygiene practices. Wherever they found lapses, they issued immediate instructions to rectify conditions and comply with food safety protocols. SP (Railways) Arul R B Krishna confirmed that the Railway Police will continue conducting surprise inspections. “We want to rebuild passenger trust in food served on trains. Ensuring health and safety is our priority,” he said, urging passengers to keep reporting food quality issues through official apps.

Source: The Times of India