This comes after a formal legal notice was served on February 18, followed by the registration of criminal complaints on March 16 and April 11 against unauthorised food delivery operators.
Image: IANS
A massive, coordinated drive has been launched by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to permanently dismantle unauthorised e-catering entities operating across the Indian Railways network.
The IRCTC has initiated legal proceedings against all the non-compliant operators, read a statement. This comes after a formal legal notice was served on February 18, followed by the registration of criminal complaints on March 16 and April 11 against unauthorised food delivery operators.
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As part of the special drive, several unauthorised operators/players were identified by IRCTC for indulging in unauthorised food delivery activities and related violations. Among these include:
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1. railrestro.com, railrestro.in
2. railmitra.com
3. travelkhana.com
4. trainscafe.com
5. dibrail.com
6. railfood.net
7. comesum.com
8. travelerfood.com
9. foodontrack.in
10. ecatering.app
11. khanaonline.in
12. trainway.in
13. railmeal.com
14. trainmenu.com
IRCTC informed that appropriate legal action has been initiated against them in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations, and provisions of law.
Key issues associated with unauthorised e-catering entities
Health and food safety risks: IRCTC stated that unauthorised entities source meals from unregulated eateries bypassing FSSAI hygiene guidelines. This includes the preparation of food in unsanitary conditions and non-compliance with mandatory medical screenings for delivery staff and kitchen workers.
Financial and cyber security threats: Unauthorised entities require passengers to input their PNR, email ID, contact numbers, and payment details (credit/debit card/UPI) to place an order. This might lead to phishing scams or expose passengers to fraud.
Moreover, when a meal is cancelled or not delivered, passengers are left with zero customer support, leading to direct financial losses without an official channel for legal recourse.
In order to safeguard passenger health, data privacy, and overall service quality, IRCTC is aggressively taking on the portals and mobile applications that falsely misuse its branding to trade illicitly, the statement said.
Further, IRCTC has advised passengers to book their transit meals via the official IRCTC E-Catering website, official Food on Track mobile application or through IRCTC authorised e-Catering food aggregators and vendors.
Passengers can find the complete list of authorised e-catering partners at e-catering website and mobile apps. The prices for meals are market-driven, while the menu has been curated by the individual restaurant partners. This allows passengers to select from a variety of options.
Among some of the major brands associated with e-Catering include Behrouz Biryani, Bikanervala, Biryani Blues, Biryani by Kilo, Domino’s, Faasos, Firangi Bake, Haldiram, KFC, La Pinoz Pizza, Lunchbox, McDonald’s, Oven Story, Pizza Hut and Sweet Truth among others.
Besides this, IRCTC has joined hands with major food aggregators like Zomato and Swiggy for offering food delivery services on trains, featuring a diverse menu from various restaurants to suit every palate.
As of April 2026, e-Catering operates across 400 plus stations and collaborates with more than 629 direct vendors and 5,604 vendors through 13 appointed food aggregators. The service is available for passengers on reserved trains, with food delivered based on their unique PNR number.
In April 2026, approximately 1,55,356 average daily meals were booked.
Mediums for booking of e-catering meals
https://www.ecatering.irctc.co.in-Desktop & Mobile Website.
Food on Track (from Google Play Store and App Store)
1323 – Voice (Through call centre)
Authorised IRCTC e-Catering partner’s platforms.
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