Indian Railways Fine Caterer Rs 5000 After They Failed To Serve Morning Tea On Duronto Express

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has imposed a ₹5,000 penalty on a catering contractor after passengers on the Chennai–Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express were not served morning tea, despite it being part of the onboard catering service. The action was taken following a complaint from a passenger, which led to an internal review by IRCTC. According to The Hindu, the incident occurred on November 8, 2025, and the penalty was imposed around ten days later after the lapse was confirmed.

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Passenger Complaint Led To Inquiry

The issue came to light after a passenger travelling on the Duronto Express reported that morning tea was not provided during the journey. On premium trains such as the Duronto Express, tea or coffee is included in the catering package and passengers are charged for it along with the ticket fare. IRCTC examined the complaint and found that the caterer had failed to deliver the service as per the approved catering plan.

Penalty Was Imposed On The Caterer

Following its review, IRCTC levied a financial penalty of ₹5,000 on the catering contractor. The decision was later communicated to the complainant, Unnikrishnan R.K. of Palakkad, in response to an application he filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, The Hindu reported. IRCTC officials reiterated that catering agencies are contractually bound to provide all items listed in the menu and that any deviation is treated as a service failure.

Why Catering Compliance Matters On Duronto Trains

Duronto Express services are categorised as premium, high‑speed trains with limited stops. As a result, passengers depend largely on onboard catering for refreshments during the journey. IRCTC provides morning tea or coffee as a standard offering on such trains, and officials said lapses in these services directly affect passenger experience and trust.

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Earlier Complaints Highlight Similar Issues

Back in 2023, a passenger had raised concerns about onboard catering after flagging irregularities in food pricing during a train journey. The complaint had drawn attention to the need for closer oversight of catering practices, particularly on long‑distance services. Railway officials have said such complaints help identify service gaps and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to improve overall passenger experience.