Worms Found In Vande Bharat Meal; Railways Fines Rs 10 Lakh To IRCTC After Viral Video
Worms Found In Vande Bharat Meal; Railways Fines Rs 10 Lakh To IRCTC After Viral Video
New Delhi, March 26, 2026: The Ministry of Railways has imposed penalties on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and a private catering vendor after a viral video showed worms in food served aboard a Vande Bharat Express train.
The incident was reported on March 15, 2026, on the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 21896), where a passenger allegedly discovered live worms and insects in curd and dal served during dinner. A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, showed the passenger confronting onboard staff.
In the footage, catering staff were seen initially dismissing the complaint, reportedly claiming that the foreign particles were saffron strands, which further fueled public outrage.
Taking serious note of the incident, the Ministry of Railways imposed a fine of ₹10 lakh on IRCTC, while the catering service provider managing onboard meals was penalized ₹50 lakh. Officials stated that strict action was necessary to uphold food safety and hygiene standards.
In an official response, the ministry reiterated that passenger safety and food quality remain top priorities, and any lapse in service would be dealt with firmly.
The incident triggered strong reactions online, with several users criticizing the quality of food despite premium fares on Vande Bharat trains. Many termed the incident unacceptable and called for stricter monitoring of catering services.
Railway authorities have indicated that further measures may be taken to prevent such incidents and ensure better quality control in onboard catering services.
