The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has faced a significant penalty from the Ministry of Railways after a passenger aboard a Vande Bharat Express reported a serious issue concerning food quality. Ritesh Kumar Singh, a passenger on the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express, highlighted the problem by sharing a video that showed worms present in the curd he was served on March 15. The alarming footage quickly raised concerns among fellow travelers and went viral on social media.

Incident Details and Passenger Response

In the video, Singh can be seen directing his camera towards a bowl of curd, which clearly exhibited visible worms. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the onboard meal, stating that he immediately reported the matter to the train manager. Following his complaint, railway officials arrived to investigate the situation as shown in another video presented by Singh. The railway staff, equipped with a torch, carefully examined the curd as Singh pointed out the worms crawling on the tray containing his meal.

Viral Reaction and Public Outcry

The incident captured the attention of surrounding passengers, some of whom gathered to witness the inspection. A mix of responses emerged from the crowd, with some requesting that the authorities provide a formal complaint book while others encouraged Singh to publicize the incident further to raise awareness. The situation reflected growing concern over food safety standards on Indian trains.

Ministry’s Statement and Penalty Imposed

Following the widespread backlash prompted by the videos, the Ministry of Railways addressed the issue through a statement on X, acknowledging the seriousness of the complaint made by Singh. The official communication highlighted that IRCTC was fined ₹10 lakh, while the food service provider received a hefty penalty of ₹50 lakh and was instructed to terminate its contract. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing passenger safety and maintaining quality in food service.

Passenger Profile

Ritesh Kumar Singh, the passenger in question, is a content creator based in Patna with a following of 1.19K subscribers on YouTube. His decision to document the incident has drawn significant attention to the ongoing discussions about food quality and safety on Indian trains. Singh’s experience underscores the necessity of accountability within railway services, particularly concerning meal standards offered to passengers during their journeys.

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