IRCTC Acts Against Unauthorised Train Food Sites Like RailRestro; Order Only via IRCTC E-Catering, Food on Track
IRCTC has started legal action against unauthorised train food delivery sites. Safe ways to order meals, the risks of fake sites and how to report them.
Photo: DesiBoy101 / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 12th November 2026: IRCTC has begun legal action against websites and apps that take orders for food on trains without its approval, and has asked passengers to book meals only through its own e-catering site, the Food on Track app or authorised partners. News On AIR reported the drive on 7 November, naming RailRestro.com and RailRestro.in among the operators.
For Pune passengers who order dinner on long trains to Delhi, Howrah or the south, this changes where it is safe to order.
What IRCTC has done
IRCTC says it has moved beyond warnings to formal proceedings against operators running unauthorised food delivery, and against those misusing the IRCTC name and brand.
According to The Statesman, action covers 14 operators. IRCTC sent a legal notice in February and filed criminal complaints in March and April. The latest drive adds a public advisory for passengers.
Where to order train food safely
IRCTC lists these channels as authorised:
- The IRCTC e-catering website
- The Food on Track mobile app
- E-catering partners and vendors that IRCTC has authorised, which are listed on its site and app
When you order, check that the page or app is reached from IRCTC’s own site, not from a search ad or a WhatsApp forward. Look-alike names are common.
Why unauthorised food sites are a risk
The Statesman listed three problems with unapproved sellers:
- Kitchens may not follow FSSAI hygiene rules, and staff may not have gone through health checks.
- Entering your PNR, phone number and card details on an unknown site can lead to phishing or fraud.
- If the meal does not arrive or is cancelled, there is often no one to complain to.
A PNR alone reveals your train, coach and seat. Sharing it with an unknown seller tells them exactly where you will be.
How to spot a fake train food site
- The site or app is not linked from IRCTC’s own e-catering page.
- It asks for full payment through a personal UPI ID or a payment link sent on chat.
- It uses the IRCTC name or logo but has a different web address.
- Prices look much lower than those on the official app.
How Pune passengers can report a fake food seller
IRCTC has asked passengers to report unauthorised food vendors and illegal deliveries to the Railway Protection Force on helpline 182. For refunds or poor food from an authorised vendor, complain through IRCTC’s e-catering site or app.
Pune station’s platforms and Hadapsar terminal see many food delivery handovers for long-distance trains. If a delivery agent at the platform cannot show an IRCTC-linked order, treat it with caution.
Planning a train journey from Pune
For routes and timings, see our guides on Pune to Goa by train, road and air and Pune to Shirdi.
IRCTC has not published a full list of every site it is acting against, and has not said what penalties operators could face. We will update this story when it does.
Frequently asked questions
Is RailRestro authorised by IRCTC?
No. IRCTC’s November 2026 drive named RailRestro.com and RailRestro.in among unauthorised e-catering operators it is acting against.
What is the official way to order food on a train?
Use the IRCTC e-catering website, the Food on Track app or a partner listed on them as authorised by IRCTC.
How do I complain about a fake train food seller?
Call the Railway Protection Force on 182. For issues with an authorised order, complain through IRCTC’s e-catering site or app.
Why should I not share my PNR with unknown food sites?
A PNR shows your train, coach and seat, and unknown sites may misuse it along with your phone and payment details.
