Commuters aboard a Vande Bharat Express train were left shocked and alarmed after finding maggots in their onboard meals supplied by IRCTC. The unsettling incident came to light when one passenger spotted worms in a half-eaten cup of yoghurt, prompting others to inspect their food and raise immediate concerns with train staff.
A video that quickly spread across social media platforms captured passengers confronting the pantry manager. In the footage, they displayed multiple meal items containing visible maggots — the larvae of flies that typically breed on decaying matter. The attendant examined the yoghurt cups and noted that they had been manufactured on March 4 and were being served on March 15, an 11-day interval.
When questioned about serving potentially expired food, the attendant clarified that the printed date indicated the manufacture date, not the expiry. Passengers pushed back strongly, pointing out that one traveller had already consumed half the yoghurt before discovering the infestation. Several expressed worries about the risk of food poisoning from the contaminated items.
In response to the viral video, IRCTC issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the complaint. The corporation confirmed that the matter is under investigation and that punitive action has been taken against the concerned service provider. It also directed strict adherence to safety and hygiene protocols to avoid any future lapses.
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The episode has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many users questioning the quality of food served on India’s premium Vande Bharat trains, where passengers pay significantly higher fares. Netizens highlighted the irony of “premium” travel accompanied by substandard meals, with some sarcastically referring to the findings as “premium protein.” Others urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to intervene and inspect the quality of onboard catering across trains.
The incident has once again drawn attention to hygiene standards in Indian Railways catering services, even as IRCTC maintains that corrective measures are being enforced.
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