The Railway Ministry has issued a fresh directive to all zonal railways, warning them to strictly implement cleaning, fumigation and pest-control protocols in pantry cars after repeated reports of unhygienic conditions, rodent infestations and poor maintenance.In a letter dated July 7, the ministry said complaints about dirty pantry cars and pest infestations continued despite repeated instructions issued since 2010.“Instructions have been issued from time to time regarding cleaning, fumigation, disinfection, and pest and rodent control of pantry cars at primary depots. Despite these instructions, reports regarding pest and rodent infestations and dirty conditions in pantry cars continue to be received from various sources,” the ministry said in the communication addressed to all zonal railways.The ministry said such lapses were affecting passenger experience and the reputation of the national transporter.“Such occurrences adversely affect passenger comfort, hygiene, and the image of Indian Railways, and therefore warrant immediate and sustained attention,” it said.Reiterating its earlier directions, the ministry instructed all railway zones to ensure strict compliance with prescribed maintenance norms.“In view of the above, it is once again reiterated that all zonal railways must follow the instructions issued by the Railway Board on a regular basis for cleaning, maintenance, fumigation, disinfection, and pest and rodent control of pantry cars,” the letter said.The latest warning comes after the ministry flagged similar violations in 2024, when it found that several depots had stopped following prescribed cleanliness measures.“It has been reported that in some depots, implementation of these instructions has been discontinued and they are not being followed on a regular basis. This has been viewed seriously,” the ministry had said in its earlier communication.Under maintenance guidelines issued in 2010 and 2011, pantry cars are required to undergo rodent-control treatment during every trip, while pest-control measures must be carried out every 15 days or earlier if required.The ministry has also raised concerns over waste disposal practices by catering staff. According to officials, employees of contracted catering firms have been found littering vestibules with garbage, leftover food and disposable plates. In some cases, surplus food was allegedly thrown near terminal stations, carriage and wagon maintenance depots and washing lines.“After several complaints, the ministry issued norms in 2011 regarding garbage disposal, and stations were nominated for the purpose. Several instructions have been issued to catering firms, station managers, and commercial staff,” a railway official said.The official added, “Despite this, cases continue to emerge where staff of licensee firms throw waste food or paper plates carelessly inside trains or outside them while trains are running, in violation of norms. The ministry and the concerned zones continue to take action in such cases.”Officials acknowledged that enforcement has remained inconsistent due to negligence by some zonal railways as well as the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which is responsible for ensuring that catering contractors comply with the prescribed hygiene and waste-management norms.