New Delhi: The Indian Railways took stringent disciplinary action against the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and a private service provider following serious lapses in onboard food quality. A total penalty of ₹60 lakh has been imposed after a passenger on the Patna-Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 21896) filed a formal complaint regarding the substandard quality of meals served during their journey on March 15. In a clear signal that passenger experience is non-negotiable, the Railways fined IRCTC ₹10 lakh for service deficiencies, while the private catering vendor faced a massive ₹50 lakh penalty.
Beyond the financial fine, the Ministry of Railways has directed the immediate termination of the private vendor’s contract to prevent any further compromise on hygiene and safety standards. Officials stated that the Vande Bharat Express, being a flagship premium service, is held to the highest benchmarks of passenger satisfaction, and any deviation is met with zero tolerance. This crackdown is part of a broader push by the national transporter to overhaul its catering ecosystem, ensuring that “high-end” pricing for premium trains is matched by high-quality, safe, and hygienic food service.
The move has been welcomed by frequent travellers who have often raised concerns about the consistency of catering across different zones. Railway authorities reiterated that passenger safety and quality remain their top priorities and that surprise inspections will be intensified across all Vande Bharat and Shatabdi routes in the coming weeks. The termination of the contract serves as a stern warning to other private entities involved in railway hospitality that repeated service failures will lead to blacklisting and heavy financial repercussions.
