RailwaysAI – IRCTC Expands AI Surveillance to Strengthen Food Quality Monitoring
RailwaysAI – India’s railway catering network has entered a new phase of digital oversight, with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) deploying Artificial Intelligence-based monitoring systems across hundreds of food preparation facilities. The initiative is designed to improve hygiene standards and maintain the quality of meals served to passengers traveling on trains throughout the country.
AI Cameras Introduced Across Railway Kitchens
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director S.K. Jain announced that more than 800 base kitchens supplying food for onboard services are now operating under continuous AI-assisted surveillance. To support the system, approximately 2,400 smart CCTV cameras have been installed at these facilities.
The surveillance network is connected to a centralized monitoring center established at the IRCTC headquarters in New Delhi. Officials can track kitchen operations in real time, allowing them to identify potential concerns quickly and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Real-Time Detection of Hygiene Concerns
According to Jain, the AI-powered system has been designed to recognize even small lapses in hygiene practices. The technology can detect issues such as foreign particles, improper food handling, or deviations from established preparation procedures.
By automatically identifying such shortcomings, the monitoring platform helps kitchen operators address problems immediately. The collected data is also used to study recurring mistakes and improve operational processes across catering units.
Monitoring Millions of Meals Served Daily
IRCTC serves a vast number of passengers every day through its railway catering services. Jain stated that more than 1.65 million meals are prepared and supplied daily on trains across India.
This includes meals provided on premium services such as Rajdhani Express and several long-distance trains where catering is included with ticket bookings. The newly implemented surveillance framework now oversees the preparation process for these meals, aiming to enhance consistency and passenger confidence in food quality.
Efforts Continue to Protect Tatkal Ticket Bookings
During the media interaction, Jain also addressed concerns regarding challenges faced by passengers during the Tatkal reservation process. He said the organization is working continuously to ensure that genuine travelers have fair access to confirmed tickets while restricting misuse of the booking system.
To strengthen reservation security, IRCTC has undertaken extensive action against fraudulent activities. As part of these efforts, the corporation removed millions of suspicious accounts and targeted automated systems used to gain unfair advantages during ticket bookings.
Crackdown on Fake Accounts and Bots
Jain revealed that nearly 3.5 crore fake user accounts were deactivated during 2025. In addition, a significant number of automated bots involved in unauthorized ticket booking attempts were identified and removed.
The corporation continues to implement stricter safeguards intended to reduce manipulation of the reservation platform, particularly during high-demand booking periods such as the Tatkal window.
Over 1,300 Fraudulent Domains Blocked
Providing further details on cybersecurity measures, the IRCTC chief said that more than 1,300 suspicious email domains were detected and blocked over the past year. These domains were believed to be associated with fraudulent activities targeting railway passengers.
He added that the organization filed more than 500 complaints with cybercrime authorities during the same period. The actions form part of a broader strategy to protect users from online scams and maintain the integrity of railway services.