IRCTC New Rules – Platform Vending permission to Static Units on Indian Railways
IRCTC New Rules – Platform Vending permission to Static Units on Indian Railways
Platform Vending permission to Static Units on Indian Railways
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD
No. 2007/TG-III/600/7/Food Plaza
New Delhi, dated 18/09/2025
The General Managers
All Indian Railways
The Chairman & Managing Director
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd.
New Delhi.
(Commercial Circular No. 52 of/2025)
Corrigendum to Para 6.4 of Catering Policy 2025
Sub : Platform Vending permission to Static Units on Indian Railways
Based on the suggestions/inputs received from various stakeholders viz. Zonal Railways, IRCTC et al, regarding Platform Vending on Indian Railways, provisions envisaged vide Para 6.4 of New Catering Policy 2025 (CC No. 20 of 2025) have been reviewed in Board’s office. Accordingly, it has been decided with the approval of the Competent Authority to modify Para 6.4 of Catering Policy 2025 as under
Existing Para 6.4
Static Catering Units should have service across the counter only. There shall he compulsory and prominent display arrangements of rates and FSSAI certification.
Modified Para 6.4
Zonal Railways are empowered to permit platform vending at stations depending upon the local requirements of catering services to he provided, to passenger. This permission can be given to Food Plazas, Refreshment Rooms and other Static Catering Stalls located at platforms. Zonal Railways shall decide the number of vendors to be allowed and the proportionate license fee increase, depending on the category of stations, number of trains handled at the station and footfalls, width of the platforms etc. duly taking cognizance of available infrastructure so as not to create congestion at the platforms. AU other operational modalities including uniforms, identity cards etc. shall be decided by the Zonal Railways.
There shall be compulsory and prominent display arrangements of rates and. FSSAI certification.
This issues with the concurrence of Finance Dte. of Ministry of Railways.
sd/-
(P.P. Lathe)
Dy. Director (T&C)
Railway Board
Source: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in
Here’s the updated breakdown of the IRCTC and Indian Railways rules for platform vending by static units, incorporating recent policy changes and implementation details:
Contents
Platform Vending by Static Units – Policy Overview
1. 2018 Amendment to Catering Policy
- The Railway Board’s Commercial Circular No. 52/2025 revised Para 6.4 of the Catering Policy (2025), enabling Zonal Railways to grant platform vending permissions to static units such as Food Plazas, Refreshment Rooms, and similar stalls located on platforms.
- Zonal authorities decide on the number of vendors permitted, license fees, and other operational factors like platform width and train footfall to avoid congestion.
- Rates and FSSAI certification must be prominently displayed.
2. Recent Push for Vendor Accountability (2025)
- A July 2025 Railway Board circular (Commercial Circular No. 13/2025) mandates issuance of standardized identity cards to all authorized vendors/helpers/staff, including those in static catering units.
- ID cards must include personal details (name, Aadhaar, medical fitness, police verification), unit of deployment, and licensee name.
- They must be issued by IRCTC or Railway Administration and prominently displayed at all times.
- Lost or replaced ID cards must be properly recorded and surrendered.
Impact on Passengers and Railway Operations
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform Vending Approval | Granted to static catering units via Circular 52/2025 |
| Regulatory Controls | Zonal Railway sets vendor limits, fees, and safety protocols |
| Identification Requirement | Mandatory ID cards for all vendors (effective mid‑2025) |
| Improved Oversight | Helps eliminate unauthorized vending and ensure food safety |
What Passengers and Stakeholders Are Saying
“You make a good point!… there’s no necessity for unauthorized vendors to offer such convenience.”
— A Reddit user on station-level vendor regulation.
If you’d like, I can help you check whether specific stations in your zone have active IRCTC platform units, vendor compliance status, or tenders for static catering licenses. Just let me know!