IRCTC and Maharashtra Forest Department Launch Vandarshan Wildlife Tourism Packages From Mumbai

Five nature tours will cover Maharashtra’s tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, while a separate IRCTC partnership aims to strengthen food safety across railway catering facilities.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), West Zone, has partnered with the Maharashtra Forest Department to introduce Vandarshan wildlife tourism packages starting November 19. The initiative, titled “Vandarshan: Explore Nature. Discover Wildlife,” aims to make Maharashtra’s rich wildlife destinations more accessible through organized travel packages.

The tours will combine train journeys, accommodation, local transportation, and wildlife safari arrangements, offering travelers a convenient way to explore some of the state’s most popular forest destinations.

IRCTC Plans Five Wildlife Tour Packages Across Maharashtra

Under the first phase of the initiative, IRCTC has planned five itineraries covering major tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries across Maharashtra and nearby wildlife areas.

Each package will run for four nights and five days, with train travel arranged through the Vidarbha Express. Departures from Mumbai are scheduled for Thursdays, while return journeys from Gondia are planned for Sundays.

The five Vandarshan tour packages will cover the following destinations:

• Tadoba and Bor Tiger Reserve
• Tadoba and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve
• Pench and Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tadoba and Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tadoba and Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

These carefully planned itineraries will give travelers opportunities to experience different forest landscapes, enjoy wildlife safaris, and discover Maharashtra’s diverse natural heritage.

Confirmed Train Tickets and Safari Permits to Simplify Travel

One of the main features of the Vandarshan packages is the inclusion of confirmed train tickets and confirmed wildlife safari permits, as specified in the respective package arrangements.

By bringing these essential travel services together, IRCTC aims to reduce the effort involved in planning a wildlife holiday. Travelers can benefit from an organized itinerary that covers key travel requirements, accommodation, transportation, and safari arrangements.

According to the announced plan, each departure will have limited availability, with six berths in air-conditioned three-tier (3AC) and six berths in air-conditioned two-tier (2AC) accommodation.

The packages are expected to appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, photographers, families, and adventure seekers looking for a well-organized way to explore the region.

Vandarshan Aims to Promote Maharashtra’s Wildlife Tourism

The new initiative is part of IRCTC West Zone’s efforts to expand its experiential tourism offerings while promoting the natural attractions of Maharashtra.

The partnership also highlights how tourism organizations and forest authorities can work together to create more accessible and organized wildlife experiences. By connecting rail travel with safari destinations, Vandarshan aims to encourage more visitors to explore the state’s forests and biodiversity.

The initiative could also help travelers discover wildlife destinations beyond conventional tourist locations while supporting greater awareness of Maharashtra’s natural heritage.

IRCTC Partners With Quality Council of India to Improve Food Safety

In a separate development, IRCTC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to introduce an independent, digital food safety and hygiene audit system across its catering facilities.

The initiative will cover catering units operating on trains and at railway stations. Its primary objective is to strengthen hygiene standards, improve compliance with food safety regulations, and make catering operations more transparent.

Digital Food Safety Audits to Cover Railway Catering Units

Under the agreement, certified QCI professionals will conduct unannounced inspections every quarter and half-year to assess compliance with the regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The inspections will use QCI’s digital systems, including a mobile application equipped with location tagging, time stamps, and real-time photographic evidence. These features are designed to improve the accuracy and transparency of audit records.

Audit reports are expected to be submitted within 24 hours. The system will also support the tracking of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), helping IRCTC monitor identified issues and hold catering vendors accountable for improvements.

The digital approach is intended to strengthen oversight of food preparation, storage, and hygiene practices across the railway catering network.

IRCTC-QCI Agreement Targets Better Hygiene and Passenger Confidence

The MoU was signed by Sudhir Warrier, IRCTC’s General Manager for Quality and Projects, and Subroto Ghosh, QCI’s Principal Advisor.

The collaboration will draw on QCI’s experience in quality assurance and national surveillance programs to improve food safety practices across railway catering operations.

Key areas of focus include maintaining hygiene standards in onboard catering services, standardizing station kitchens, enforcing staff hygiene requirements, and ensuring proper sanitary storage of food and related supplies.

The partnership may also support future collaborative initiatives, including passenger satisfaction surveys, infrastructure audits, and specialized training for catering staff.

Two Initiatives Focus on Better Travel Experiences

IRCTC’s Vandarshan wildlife tourism packages and its food safety partnership with QCI address two important aspects of railway travel: tourism and passenger service quality.

While Vandarshan aims to make Maharashtra’s wildlife destinations easier to explore through integrated travel arrangements, the QCI partnership focuses on improving food safety and hygiene across railway catering facilities.

Together, these initiatives reflect IRCTC’s broader efforts to expand organized tourism options and strengthen service standards for railway passengers.