The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation took strict disciplinary action after a passenger was served substandard food onboard a premier train service. Passengers travelling on premium trains can now rely on stricter quality checks following swift punitive measures taken by authorities.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation imposed a penalty of 2,00,000 rupees on a catering contractor following a complaint regarding substandard food service on the Banaras-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, bearing train number 22435.
The disciplinary action follows an incident on August 16, 2026, when a passenger was served an undercooked paratha, prompting a social media complaint directed at Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In addition to the fine levied against the catering contractor, IRCTC imposed a penalty of 20,000 rupees on the agency responsible for monitoring food safety standards at the base kitchen.
According to official reports, the passenger was provided with a replacement meal immediately following the complaint. IRCTC officials emphasized that the corporation maintains a strict stance on quality control for premium train services and will not tolerate negligence from service providers, noting that the organization utilizes a prompt grievance redressal mechanism to handle onboard catering issues.
Enforcing Accountability in Rail Catering
This incident is part of an ongoing effort by the Ministry of Railways to enforce accountability, as the department continues to monitor base kitchen operations to ensure food safety compliance. Ensuring high standards of hygiene and taste remains a top priority for railway administrators, especially on high-profile routes patronized daily by thousands of travellers.
Under current regulations, food charges are integrated into Vande Bharat ticket fares, with the option for passengers to opt out during the booking process, alongside existing policies that mandate free meals for passengers in the event of train delays exceeding two hours. Authorities continue to urge commuters to report any discrepancies in service quality through official helpline numbers or social media channels for immediate resolution.