New Delhi (Economy India): The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has imposed a penalty of ₹1 lakh on a catering service provider after a passenger reportedly found a fly in a serving of vegetarian biryani aboard the Rajdhani Express.
The incident came to light after the passenger lodged a formal complaint regarding the quality and hygiene of the food served during the journey. Following an investigation into the matter, IRCTC took strict action against the concerned catering contractor and issued a show-cause notice seeking an explanation.
According to railway officials, maintaining food safety and hygiene standards on trains remains a top priority. The complaint was treated seriously, and immediate steps were taken to verify the claim and identify lapses in food preparation and quality control processes.
The penalty reflects IRCTC’s commitment to ensuring better passenger services and accountability among onboard catering providers. Officials stated that repeated violations could invite stricter action, including suspension or termination of catering contracts.
Food quality on trains has often been a concern for passengers, prompting railway authorities to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, conduct surprise inspections, and encourage travelers to report grievances through official channels.
The latest action is expected to send a strong message to catering agencies operating on Indian Railways that any compromise on passenger safety and hygiene will not be tolerated.
Railway authorities have reiterated that passengers can register complaints regarding food quality, cleanliness, or service issues through the RailMadad platform and other official grievance redressal systems.
Economy India Insight
The incident highlights the growing focus on service quality and consumer accountability within Indian Railways. As passenger expectations rise, strict enforcement of food safety standards will be critical to maintaining trust in railway catering services.
( Economy India )
