Selling food items in Indian trains can be a good business idea, especially because lakhs of passengers travel by train every day. Many of them prefer to buy snacks, meals, tea, or water during their journey. If you are thinking about how to start selling food on trains, the first thing to know is that you cannot just start selling without following some rules. There is a proper process and registration required to sell food items legally on Indian Railways.

Indian Railways is managed by the government, and any business done on railway property is controlled through contracts and licenses. If you want to sell food items on trains or at stations, you need to get permission from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). IRCTC is the official body that handles food services in trains. Whether it is meals in pantry cars, food delivered to seats, or food sold at stalls on platforms, everything is regulated by IRCTC.

To begin selling food on trains, the first thing you need is a license or contract from IRCTC. You can apply for this when IRCTC releases tenders or advertisements inviting vendors. These opportunities are usually posted on their official website. You have to apply by filling out the required forms, submitting documents, and sometimes even bidding for the contract. If you get selected, you will be given the right to sell food items either on specific trains or at certain stations.

Apart from the IRCTC license, you also need a FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) registration. This is mandatory for anyone selling food in India. FSSAI ensures that the food being prepared and served is safe and hygienic. Without this license, your food business is illegal. You can apply for FSSAI registration online by submitting your business details, ID proof, and food category.

In addition to these, you may need GST registration if your turnover exceeds the government threshold. This allows you to generate GST bills and comply with tax laws. Also, make sure your staff follows proper hygiene and wears clean uniforms, especially if you are directly serving passengers.

Selling food in trains is not just about cooking and selling. You also have to manage logistics, like packaging food in a way that keeps it fresh and easy to carry. Delivery inside trains must be fast and on time, because trains stop at stations only for a few minutes. Many vendors now tie up with e-catering platforms approved by IRCTC to take online orders from passengers. This way, the food is delivered directly to the passenger’s seat at a particular station.

In conclusion, yes, you definitely need registration and permission to sell food items in Indian trains. With proper licenses from IRCTC and FSSAI, and a focus on hygiene and service, you can run a successful food business on the Indian Railways network. It is a big opportunity, but it must be done legally and professionally.

Learn more here: https://irepsregistration.com/