Bhubaneswar, March 20 -- In a major step to improve passenger safety and onboard food quality, Indian Railways has introduced QR code-enabled identity cards for authorised catering staff and digitally traceable food packets, aiming to eliminate unauthorised vending and ensure verified services across trains.

Railways officials have reiterated that unauthorised hawking and vending in passenger areas is strictly prohibited under Section 144 of the Railways Act, 1989, and is a punishable offence. To enforce this, regular inspections are being carried out by railway authorities and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), along with periodic special drives by Indian Railways and IRCTC to prevent illegal vendors from entering trains and station pr...