Not serving morning tea to passengers has proved to have consequences for a catering contractor with Indian Railways. IRCTC has now imposed a penalty of ₹5000 on a catering contractor after passengers travelling on the Chennai-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express were not served their cup of hot chai. Here’s what happened.
Indian Railways Fines A Caterer For Not Serving Tea
When we travel on trains, especially in the mornings, we mostly like to start our journey with a cup of chai, which is usually served onboard. But according to NDTV, the catering contractor failed to serve morning tea to passengers travelling on the Chennai-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express, despite it being part of the onboard catering service.
Now, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has imposed a ₹5000 penalty on that contractor. Reportedly, a passenger on the train filed a complaint, which led to an internal review by IRCTC. According to The Hindu, the complaint by Unnikrishnan R.K of Palakkad was made on November 8, 2025, and the fine was imposed just 10 days later.
Also Read: Indian Railways Introduces QR-Based System To Ensure Safety & Food Hygiene On Trains
QR-Based Food Packets Introduced
According to The Hindu, IRCTC provides morning tea or coffee as part of onboard catering services. Passengers are usually charged for this along with the ticket fare, which might have prompted the complaint. It should be noted that Duronto Express is one of the premium high-speed trains of Indian Railways. It has limited stops, and passengers rely on onboard catering services for food and beverages.
Apart from this, you would also like to know that Indian Railways has introduced QR codes on food packets. These display the name of the kitchen, date of manufacturing, and other details when scanned. This initiative is expected to ensure hygienic food for passengers on board.
Also Read: Indian Railways Launches 17-Day ‘Shri Ramayana Yatra’ Tour; Check Date, Route, Cost & More
Do you think this ₹5000 fine was justified? Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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FAQs
Do we get food and tea on Indian trains?
Yes, food and tea are provided on many Indian trains as part of catering services.
What is the full form of IRCTC?
It stands for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.
What is Duronto Express?
It is a premium long-distance, non-stop passenger train operated by Indian Railways.