The AI-powered system streams live footage to a centralized War Room located in New Delhi. It is programmed to instantly detect hygiene violations and operational lapses, enabling swift corrective actions. Among the monitored issues, the system identifies kitchen staff not wearing mandatory protective gear such as caps and hairnets.
Upon detecting any violation, the AI generates automated tickets that alert the monitoring team. The team then promptly notifies the concerned personnel to address and rectify the problem. The technology can also detect hazards such as rodents and cockroaches, allowing preventive intervention to safeguard food quality.
An IRCTC official highlighted the dual focus of the system, stating, “Detection is one part and action is another part,” stressing the importance of immediate remediation alongside violation detection.
This deployment arrives as IRCTC manages a rapidly growing catering operation, having served over 16 lakh meals daily last year and currently providing around 18 lakh meals every day across the Indian railway network. Managing this expansive scale has presented significant challenges, motivating the adoption of AI to improve service quality and operational compliance.
The growth of the kitchen network accelerated following a government policy introduced in November 2023 promoting cluster kitchens. This resulted in the development of an extensive nationwide catering infrastructure that necessitates continuous monitoring and quality control.
Food safety remains a critical concern. Recently, IRCTC issued a notice to a licensee after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) raised issues regarding severe food safety and hygiene violations onboard the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Ernakulam Duronto Express.
IRCTC officials emphasize that AI-based monitoring is an integral part of their larger strategy to reinforce food safety standards, ensure compliance with regulations, and enhance the dining experience for millions of railway passengers daily.
