By Eastern Samvaad 
A serious concern over food safety on India’s premium trains has come to light after a passenger reported finding worms in a meal served onboard the Vande Bharat Express. The incident has prompted swift action from authorities, resulting in heavy penalties for the catering agency.
The complaint was raised by passenger Ritesh Kumar Singh, who was travelling on the Patna–Tatanagar route on March 15. Shortly after being served his meal, Singh noticed irregularities in the food and recorded a video showing worms in the curd provided to him. The footage quickly gained attention after being shared online.
In the video, the passenger highlighted the condition of the food and questioned the quality standards maintained onboard. He also informed railway staff and requested immediate action. Soon after, railway officials, including the train manager, reached his seat to inspect the complaint. Using a flashlight, they examined the food item closely while the passenger pointed out visible worms moving in the curd.
The situation attracted attention from other passengers in the coach, many of whom gathered around during the inspection. Some travellers expressed concern over hygiene standards and demanded accountability, while others encouraged the complainant to share the video publicly to ensure the issue was addressed.
Following the viral spread of the video on social media, the Ministry of Railways responded promptly. In an official statement, the ministry confirmed that strict action had been taken against those responsible. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation was fined ₹10 lakh, while the catering service provider faced a penalty of ₹50 lakh. Authorities also ordered the termination of the vendor’s contract.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards of food quality and passenger safety, stating that such lapses would not be tolerated. It also assured that steps are being taken to strengthen monitoring and improve onboard catering services.
This incident has once again raised questions about food hygiene on trains, especially on premium services like Vande Bharat, which are known for offering upgraded passenger experiences. Experts suggest that stricter quality checks, better vendor accountability, and real-time monitoring systems are essential to prevent such occurrences in the future.