Fresh linen missing, food quality poor: Two Rajdhani vendors fined Rs 1L each

Ahmedabad: In a surprise onboard inspection of the New Delhi–Sabarmati Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express, Ahmedabad divisional railway manager (DRM) Ved Prakash imposed penalties of Rs 1 lakh each on a catering contractor and a linen supplier after finding deficiencies in passenger services.

Prakash travelled on the premium train bound for Delhi and interacted with more than 100 passengers across First AC, Second AC and Third AC coaches. The inspection focused on cleanliness, catering quality, housekeeping standards and the condition of linen supplied to passengers.

The inspection centred on cleanliness, linen quality and catering standards. Housekeeping performance was checked with specific attention to toilet upkeep and overall coach hygiene. Linen supplies were examined for cleanliness, packaging and availability across classes.

During the review, the DRM found that fresh linen was not being provided in several 3AC coaches, prompting railway authorities to levy a Rs 1 lakh fine on the concerned vendor. Passenger complaints regarding the quality of rice served in onboard meals were also verified during the inspection, leading to a similar penalty on the catering contractor.

Officials said the initiative aims to improve service quality, operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction through direct engagement with travellers. During interactions, passengers shared several suggestions, including the creation of a dedicated working coach or customised workspace in premium trains for professionals who wish to work on laptops without disturbing fellow passengers.

Senior citizens and women passengers also raised concerns regarding safety and lower-berth allocation. "Passenger satisfaction and their safe and comfortable journey is the highest priority of Indian Railways. The suggestions and ground-level feedback received from passengers are extremely important for continuously improving our services and making them more people-friendly," said Prakash.