Railways Food Not Fit For Human Consumption says CAG after Audit
The Indian Railways, has been accused for serving ‘food unfit for human consumption’ in a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) tabled on Friday in the Parliament.
The report that was served after a survey of 80 trains across 74 stations was done with the aim to find out policy and strategies going behind the catering services of one of the largest railway networks in the world.
The report specifically reviewed hygiene, affordability, quality and availability of food to passengers of the Indian Railways.
It was found that purified water was not available at 21 stations across 11 railways zones. Dirty water was being used for beverages like coffee, tea and soups in 22 trains.
Cockroaches and rats were also seen in pantry cars in trains including Duronto Express. On one occasion, a passenger of the Lucknow-Anand Vihar double decker train ordered a cutlet only to receive it with an iron nail inside it.
Unsold paranthas were being recycled in the base kitchen in trains including on Kanpur-Delhi express.
Report concluded, lack of pantry cars in several long distance trains has an increased incidence of unauthorised food being sold by hawkers on trains.