Indian Railways took strict action against a catering vendor after a passenger found a fly in their meal on the Tejas Express. The incident happened on train number 82902 traveling from Ahmedabad Junction to Mumbai Central. The railway authorities have imposed a heavy penalty and issued a notice to cancel the vendor’s license.
What happened on Tejas Express
A passenger named Sumit Mehrotra, traveling in coach E2 seat 48, complained about finding a fly in his veg biryani. The train captain and on-board catering manager apologized and offered a fresh meal, but the passenger refused it. The vendor involved in this lapse was M/s Araha Hospitality Private Limited.
Details of the penalty and orders
The railway administration and IRCTC took immediate steps to penalize the vendor for the hygiene failure. The following actions were taken:
| Action Taken | Details |
|---|---|
| Monetary Fine | 1 lakh rupees imposed on the vendor |
| Licensing Action | Show-cause notice issued to cancel license |
| Quality Check | Orders to ensure air-tight storage for rice, pulses, and flour |
| Sourcing | Instructions to buy only fresh raw materials |
How Railway monitors food quality
IRCTC has started using AI technology to prevent such incidents. From June 2026, 2,394 AI cameras were installed in over 800 base kitchens across India. These cameras track 24-hour operations and can detect nine types of hygiene issues, including the presence of flies, cockroaches, and staff not wearing hairnets. An AI system generates about 350 alert tickets daily to maintain food safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which train and vendor were involved in the food quality issue?
The incident occurred in train number 82902 Tejas Express (Ahmedabad to Mumbai Central). The catering vendor was M/s Araha Hospitality Private Limited.
How is IRCTC using AI to monitor food hygiene?
IRCTC installed 2,394 AI cameras in 800+ base kitchens to monitor 24/7. These systems detect flaws like lack of hairnets, poor cleaning, and the presence of pests.