Mumbai Railway Catering Rules: WR Staff Must Wear Uniform, Gloves and Hair Nets From September 10

Western Railway (WR) has introduced stricter hygiene and appearance standards for catering staff at licensed food stalls and catering units across the Mumbai division. From September 10, 2026, all catering workers will be required to wear a prescribed uniform along with disposable gloves and hair nets while on duty.

The move is part of Western Railway’s renewed efforts to improve food safety, cleanliness and hygiene at railway stations.

New Uniform Rules for Catering Workers

Under the latest directive, catering staff at licensed outlets will have to wear a standard uniform consisting of:

• Red polo T-shirt with a black collar and black buttons
• Black full-length trousers
• Black half-apron
• Black footwear
• Black borders on the T-shirt sleeves and chest pocket

Railway authorities have also stressed that the uniform must be clean, neatly ironed and maintained in good condition throughout the worker’s duty period.

In addition to the uniform, staff handling or serving food will have to use disposable hand gloves and hair nets from September 10.

Western Railway Steps Up Food Safety Checks

The stricter requirements follow recent concerns over food-handling practices at railway catering outlets. Action was taken against a catering outlet at Boisar after samosas were found being sold wrapped in newspaper, raising hygiene and food-safety concerns.

Following the incident, Western Railway intensified inspections of licensed catering units across the Mumbai division.

Senior Divisional Commercial Railway Manager Adish Pathania has instructed catering licence holders to ensure that their employees comply with the prescribed uniform and hygiene requirements.

Caterers to Face Action for Non-Compliance

The new directive places greater responsibility on catering licence holders, who must ensure that employees follow the rules during working hours.

Western Railway has warned that failure to comply with the new requirements could lead to punitive action against both the licence holder and the staff concerned.

Station Commercial Managers and Commercial Inspectors have also been instructed to monitor compliance during routine inspections and submit reports to the divisional office.

Focus on Cleaner and Safer Railway Food Outlets

The uniform and hygiene measures are aimed at improving both the professional appearance of catering staff and food-handling standards at railway stations.

With thousands of passengers relying on station food outlets every day, railway authorities are increasingly focusing on cleanliness, safe food handling and staff hygiene as part of the overall passenger experience.

The new standards will take effect across licensed catering stalls and units in the Mumbai division from September 10, 2026, with regular inspections expected to ensure that operators follow the prescribed rules.