Indian Railways Imposes Fine on IRCTC Over Food Quality Issues

In a recent incident, the Indian Railways has taken decisive action against the IRCTC by imposing a fine due to complaints about food quality on the Vande Bharat Express. A passenger recorded a video showing insects in the yogurt served during the journey, prompting immediate scrutiny. The railway authorities have fined IRCTC ₹10 lakh and imposed additional penalties on the service provider. This incident highlights the commitment of Indian Railways to ensure passenger safety and maintain high food quality standards. Read on to discover more about the measures taken and the implications for onboard catering services.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 26, 2026, 12:33 IST

Railways Takes Action Against IRCTC

The Ministry of Railways has imposed a penalty on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) following complaints regarding the poor quality of food served on the Vande Bharat Express. This decision came after a passenger shared a video showing insects in the yogurt served during the journey. The incident occurred on March 15, when Ritesh Kumar Singh recorded the video shortly after meals were served on the Patna-Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express.

Details of the Incident

In the video, Singh directed the camera towards a bowl of yogurt, clearly revealing the presence of insects. He criticized the food quality and mentioned that he had already contacted the train manager to file a complaint. In response to this alarming situation, Indian Railways took significant action to ensure passenger safety.

Significant Penalties Imposed

As a result of the complaint regarding food quality on train number 21896 (Patna – Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express) on March 15, 2026, IRCTC has been fined ₹10 lakh. Additionally, a penalty of ₹50 lakh has been imposed on the related service provider, along with an order to terminate the contract. A spokesperson for Indian Railways emphasized that passenger safety and food quality are their top priorities.

IRCTC's Role in Catering

It is noteworthy that Indian Railways, through IRCTC, serves meals to over 1.5 million passengers daily across its extensive network, making it one of the largest onboard food operations globally. Ensuring passenger safety and maintaining food quality are fundamental to this mission, and any violations of these standards prompt immediate and strict action.