Salem Division officials check the pantry cars in trains, eateries & stalls in stations on Satkar Diwas (Caring Day) of the Rail Hamsafar Saptaah (Customer Facilitation Week)

 Expiry date of the milk pocket is being checked by Sri Viju Vin

 The cleanliness of the vessels is being checked

 Unauthorised vendor is being checked 

 Interaction with passengers 

Kitchen of a food stall is being checked at Karur

 Expiry date on the pocket is being checked by Sri Venkata Subramanian, ACM

Checking of a stall at Mettupalayam  by Sri G. Janarthanan, DPO

On the second day of the Rail Hamsafar Saptaah (Customer Facilitation Week), which is being observed as Satkaar Diwas (Caring Day) all over Indian Railways, the officials of the Salem Division, Southern Railway, including Sri Hari Shankar Verma, DRM, Sri Ma. Vignavelu, Sr. Divisional Engineer-Co-ordination, Sri Viju Vin, Divisional Commercial Manager/Co-ordination, Sri G. Janarthanan, Divisional Personnel Officer, and other officers, carried out intensive inspection of catering units, water and other vending stalls at stations and trains and also checked for unauthorised vendors.

Checks were carried out by the officials in Train Nos. 12677-Bangaluru-Ernakulam Intercity Express, 15905-Kanyakumari-Dibrugarh Vivek Express, 12680-Coimbatore-Chennai Central Intercity Express, 17229-Trivandrum-Hyderabad Sabari Express, 16340-Nagercoil Mumbai CST Express,  12084-Coimbatore Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express, 12516-Guwahati Trivandrum Express, 12244-Coimbatore Chennai Central Shatabdi Express, 13351-Dhanbad Alapuzha Express, 12676-Coimbatore Chennai Central Kovai Express & 16339-Mumbai CST Nagercoil Express.

During the checks, it was found that cleanliness was need to be improved; weighing scales were not available, price list was not displayed, vendors were not carrying the menu card, meals were supplied à la carte and excess amount was being collected from the passengers, standard meals were not supplied, unapproved food was found to be supplied to the passengers, 250ml water glasses were not supplied with standard meals. The contractors were warned and fined in all the cases. Vendors were also advised to display their ID cards while serving the train passengers.

Passengers were interacted and they were given guidance by the Salem Division officials regarding availability of Railway Assistance Toll Free Nos. 138 (for complaints), 139 (for enquiries) and 182 (for security related complaints) for redressal of grievances, help and safety. Passengers were also advised to demand menu cards before buying eatables from the approved vendors approved.    Totally out of about 100 passengers personally contacted, in Train No. 15905-Kanyakumari-Dibrugarh Vivek Express, one complaint was received about non-supply of standard meals and action was taken on the spot, by fining the contractor for the same.   Overall, passengers expressed their happiness about such checks and hoped that these would improve the overall quality of the train food.