A recent incident aboard the Vande Bharat Express has sparked outrage after a passenger discovered a dead cockroach in their meal served by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The incident, which occurred on February 1 during a journey from Rani Kamlapati to Jabalpur Junction, prompted swift action from both the passenger and railway authorities.
The passenger, identified as Dr. Shubhendu Keshari, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share images of the non-vegetarian thali containing the unwelcome addition of a dead cockroach. Alongside the photos, Dr. Keshari expressed his shock and dismay, stating, “I was traumatized by seeing a dead COCKROACH in the food packet given by them.”
The viral post garnered significant attention from users, who raised concerns about the quality of food served on Indian trains. In response, IRCTC promptly addressed the issue, issuing an apology to Dr. Keshari and assuring him that stringent measures were being taken against the responsible service provider. They also emphasized that monitoring procedures had been strengthened at the source to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Railway Seva, another official railway service, acknowledged Dr. Keshari’s complaint and assured him that appropriate action had been initiated. They provided him with a complaint number for further reference.
In light of the incident, X users expressed their dismay and vowed to avoid ordering food from Indian railways in the future. This incident is not an isolated one, as similar occurrences have been reported previously on the Vande Bharat Express. In a previous incident in July, another passenger traveling on the same train route discovered a cockroach in their meal. Railway authorities responded with apologies and assurances of corrective action.
While the prompt response from railway authorities is commendable, incidents like these underscore the need for strict quality control measures in food preparation and service onboard trains. Passengers rightfully expect hygienic and safe dining experiences during their travels, and it is imperative for authorities to uphold these standards to ensure passenger satisfaction and safety.
Sources By Agencies
