A passenger’s experience aboard the Vande Bharat Express turned distressing when he discovered insects in the sambhar served during the journey from Tirunelveli to Chennai. The incident quickly gained attention after a video of the contaminated meal was shared widely on social media, sparking outrage over food safety standards on the premium train service.

The video revealed black insects floating in the sambhar, leaving viewers appalled by the quality of food provided on the Vande Bharat Express, a flagship train under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Among those who reacted strongly to the incident was Congress MP Manickam Tagore. Sharing the video on Twitter, he raised concerns about hygiene and accountability, tagging Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

“Dear @AshwiniVaishnaw ji, live insects were found in the food served on the Tirunelveli-Chennai Vande Bharat Express. Passengers have raised concerns over hygiene and IRCTC’s accountability. What steps are being taken to address this and ensure food safety on premium trains?” Tagore wrote.

The Railways responded by initiating an immediate investigation into the matter. According to their statement, the food package was examined by a health inspector at the Dindigul station. The findings revealed that the insect was allegedly stuck to the lid of the aluminum container and not inside the sambhar itself.

Despite this clarification, the Railways imposed a penalty of Rs. 50,000 on the catering service provider, Brindavan Food Products, citing negligence. The statement further mentioned that food samples had been collected and sent for testing to determine the cause of contamination.

“For this negligence, a penalty of Rs. 50,000 has been imposed on the contractor Ms. Brindavan Food Products, and further action is being pursued,” the Railways said. “The Railway is conducting a detailed investigation into the incident, considering all possibilities regarding the source of the contamination.”

This incident has reignited concerns over food quality and hygiene on Vande Bharat trains, which have faced similar controversies in the past. Just a few months ago, another passenger reported finding a cockroach in their meal on the same premium service.

Vande Bharat trains are celebrated for their high-speed travel, enhanced safety measures, and superior passenger experience. However, recurring incidents involving food quality have tarnished the reputation of this premium service, raising questions about the accountability of contractors and the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms.

As the Railways continues its investigation, passengers and critics alike are calling for stricter measures to ensure the safety and hygiene of food served aboard these trains.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)