Patna: Following a serious complaint regarding worms found in the food served on the Patna-Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways has taken stringent action. A massive fine of ₹50 lakh has been imposed on the concerned contractor (service provider), and their catering license has been cancelled with immediate effect.
This move comes as the Railways adopts a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy towards any compromise on passengers’ health.
Incident Details and Social Media Outrage
The matter came to light after a passenger traveling on the Vande Bharat Express shared a video on X (formerly Twitter). In the video, the passenger showed worms floating inside a packet of ‘curd’ served with the meal. Expressing deep resentment, the passenger raised serious questions about the quality of food being served.
After the video went viral on social media, the Railway administration took immediate cognizance. An investigation confirmed the complaint, leading to this severe disciplinary action.
This incident has sparked a massive debate over the maintenance of hygiene in India’s most prestigious semi-high-speed trains. Since Vande Bharat Express is a flagship project aimed at providing world-class travel, such lapses in food safety raise serious concerns. Passengers paying premium fares expect high standards of cleanliness, and this specific case of contaminated curd has led to thousands of critical comments on social platforms, forcing the ministry to intervene directly.
Heavy Fines and Cancellation of License
According to Railway officials, both IRCTC and the service provider (contractor) share the responsibility of ensuring food quality and safeguarding passenger health.
- Action Against the Contractor: In addition to the ₹50 lakh fine, the Railways immediately cancelled the company’s catering license. This step is intended to send a stern message to other contractors that violations of food quality standards will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
- Penalty on IRCTC: Due to the failure in monitoring the contractor, Indian Railways has also slapped a ₹10 lakh fine on IRCTC. This emphasizes that IRCTC must increase its accountability to ensure safe and hygienic food is served in trains, especially in premium services like Vande Bharat.
- Enhanced Monitoring and Future Measures To prevent such incidents in the future, the Railway Board has proposed a stricter audit system for all base kitchens. Under the new protocol, surprise inspections will be conducted frequently by independent food safety officers. Furthermore, the authorities are considering implementing more digital feedback mechanisms where passengers can rate food quality in real-time, allowing IRCTC to take instant corrective measures before the train reaches its destination.
Railways’ Stance: “Passenger Safety and Quality are Paramount”
A senior Railway official stated, “The safety of passengers and the quality of services provided to them are our top priorities. Any negligence regarding food quality will be dealt with strictly. We are committed to providing a better and safer travel experience for passengers, and such harsh actions will continue in the future if necessary.”
Guidelines for Passengers: How to Report Issues?
If you encounter any issues regarding food quality or hygiene during your journey, you should immediately record evidence (photos or videos) and lodge a formal complaint via the ‘RailMadad’ portal or mobile app. You can also dial the toll-free number 139 for immediate assistance. Reporting these issues promptly helps the authorities identify negligent contractors and ensures better service for fellow travelers.