A disturbing incident on the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express has once again raised questions about food hygiene on Indian trains. A passenger reportedly found live worms in the curd served during dinner, leading to strong reactions on social media.
The complaint quickly went viral online, forcing the Ministry of Railways to step in and take strict action against the responsible parties.
This case has started a new debate about food safety in railway catering services, especially on premium trains like Vande Bharat.
Passenger Discovers Worms In Curd Served On Train
Live worms and insects were found in the Amul Dahi that was served to passanger on board 21896 Patna-Tatanagar Vande Bharat on March 15. In a landmark decision, Railways has penalized IRCTC with ₹10 lakh and the service provider with ₹50 lakh. pic.twitter.com/zrAae3Wgay
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) March 25, 2026
The incident happened on 15 March 2026 on Train No. 21896, the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express. A passenger named Ritesh Kumar Singh noticed something unusual in the meal served to him.
According to his claim, live worms were moving inside the cup of curd and on the plate. The food was part of the dinner served by the catering staff onboard.
Ritesh recorded the moment on video and confronted the railway staff. The video later spread rapidly across social media platforms, drawing attention from thousands of people.
Video Goes Viral On Social Media
The viral clip showed the passenger questioning the staff about the contaminated food. Initially, an attendant tried to explain that the object in the curd might be kesar (saffron).
However, the explanation did not convince the passenger because the worms were clearly moving inside the curd container.
In the video, Ritesh can be heard expressing his frustration and saying that passengers pay money expecting safe food, not something harmful.
The situation became more worrying when he revealed that his co-passenger had already eaten some of the curd before noticing the worms.
Passengers Raise Serious Food Safety Concerns
Incidents like this create fear among passengers about the quality and safety of railway food. Many people travel long distances by train and depend on onboard meals provided by railway catering services.
When such problems occur, passengers naturally question whether proper hygiene checks are being followed.
Food safety experts often say that contamination in packaged food may occur due to poor storage, improper handling, or expired products.
If these standards are not strictly monitored, it can create serious health risks for passengers.
Railways Takes Immediate Action After Viral Incident
After the video spread online, the Ministry of Railways quickly responded to the complaint.
On 25 March, officials announced that strict action had been taken against the responsible parties.
The ministry confirmed the following steps:
- IRCTC was fined ₹10 lakh
- The private catering vendor was fined ₹50 lakh
- The vendor’s contract was terminated
The railways also said that passenger safety and food quality remain their top priority and that negligence will not be tolerated.
IRCTC And Food Quality Issues In The Spotlight Again
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) manages food services on most trains in India. However, it has faced criticism in the past regarding food quality and hygiene.
Over the years, passengers have reported issues such as:
- Poor food quality
- Stale meals
- Improper packaging
- Hygiene concerns
Although IRCTC claims to follow strict guidelines, such incidents suggest that implementation at the ground level still needs improvement.
Public Reaction After The Incident
Once the video went viral, many social media users reacted strongly.
Some people demanded stricter monitoring of catering vendors, while others questioned how such issues could happen on a premium train like Vande Bharat, which is known for modern facilities.
Interestingly, reports suggest that even railway staff advised the passenger to share the issue online, indicating that complaints sometimes get attention only after going viral.
This shows the growing role of social media in highlighting public grievances.
Need For Better Food Safety Monitoring
Experts believe that railway authorities must improve quality checks and vendor monitoring.
Possible improvements could include:
- Regular inspection of food suppliers
- Strict hygiene checks before food is loaded on trains
- Passenger feedback systems for quick action
- Real-time monitoring of catering services
If such systems are implemented effectively, passengers will feel more confident about the food served on trains.
Conclusion
The discovery of live worms in curd served on the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express has once again raised serious concerns about food safety in Indian trains.
While the Railway Ministry acted quickly by imposing heavy fines and terminating the vendor’s contract, the incident highlights the need for stronger monitoring of catering services.
Passengers expect safe and hygienic food, especially on premium trains. Ensuring strict quality control and accountability will be essential to restore public trust in railway food services.
FAQs
What happened on the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express?
A passenger reportedly found live worms in the curd served as part of the dinner on the train, which led to a viral complaint and strong public reaction.
Who reported the incident?
The issue was reported by passenger Ritesh Kumar Singh, who also recorded a video of the contaminated food.
What action did the Railways take?
The Ministry of Railways fined IRCTC ₹10 lakh and the private catering vendor ₹50 lakh. The vendor’s contract was also terminated.
When did the incident happen?
The incident occurred on 15 March 2026, and the railway authorities responded publicly on 25 March.
Why are passengers concerned about railway food quality?
Passengers worry about food hygiene because they rely on onboard meals during long journeys. Incidents like this raise doubts about safety standards and quality control.