Railways Tighten Grip on Unauthorized Vendors with New ID Card Mandate

New Delhi: In a decisive move to curb unauthorized vending on trains and station premises, the Indian Railways has rolled out a new standardised identity card format for all licensed vendors and has asked all railway zones to implement it without delay.

This directive, issued on July 17 through a formal circular, comes amid growing concerns over unlicensed vendors selling substandard or adulterated food, potentially posing serious health hazards to passengers.

A senior railway official explained, “The presence of unauthorised vendors has become a growing nuisance, with concerns over hygiene, safety, and compliance. This uniform ID card system will help us identify and eliminate such elements effectively.”

As per the new guideline, all vendors, helpers, or staff working under valid licenses for on-train or station catering must now carry an official ID card issued either by the Railway Administration or the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The ID must clearly display the vendor’s name, Aadhaar number, medical fitness certification (with validity), deployment unit, and police verification details.

To enhance accountability, the identity cards will be signed by the station superintendent, station manager, or an authorised IRCTC officer. Railway officials have been instructed to maintain a physical register at every station or train listing all licensee vendors and their helpers.

Importantly, vendors not prominently displaying these ID cards will not be allowed to sell catering items at railway stations or onboard trains. The system will also allow for the provision of reserve vendors/helpers to step in during leave or absence of regular staff.

If a vendor leaves the job, the licensee must return the old ID and request a new one for the replacement, ensuring that each card is tied to an individual with complete verification.