A meal served on a Vande Bharat Express turned into a disturbing experience for passengers after worms were found in the food, prompting swift action from Indian Railways.
The incident came to light when a passenger travelling on the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express discovered insects in a cup of curd served onboard. Shocked, the passenger recorded a video, which soon went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage over food safety on one of India’s premium trains.
In the video, the passenger can be seen confronting train staff, questioning how such food could be served. What made matters worse was the initial response from onboard staff, who reportedly dismissed the complaint, suggesting the insects were “kesar” (saffron). This response further angered passengers and drew criticism online.
Taking the issue seriously, Indian Railways launched an inquiry and acted quickly. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), responsible for onboard catering, was fined ₹10 lakh. In addition, the private caterer involved in supplying the food was fined ₹50 lakh and had its contract terminated.
Railway officials said such lapses are unacceptable, especially on premium trains like Vande Bharat, where passengers expect high standards of hygiene and service. They stressed that passenger safety remains a top priority and that strict action would be taken against any negligence.
For many travellers, the incident has raised concerns about the quality of food served on trains, despite paying higher fares. Passengers have called for better monitoring and stricter hygiene checks to prevent similar situations in the future.
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