A passenger traveling on Vande Bharat Express from Rani Kamlapati to Jabalpur experienced a shocking incident on February 1, 2024, when he found a dead cockroach in his non-vegetarian meal. The passenger, Dr. Shubhendu Keshari, shared the experience on social media, which quickly gained traction.
Complaint Filed with West Central Railway
After disembarking at the Jabalpur railway station, Dr. Keshari lodged a formal complaint with the West Central Railway, detailing the issue and naming his co-passenger, Rajesh Shrivastava, as a witness.
I was travelling on 1/02/2024 train no. 20173 RKMP to JBP (Vande Bharat Exp)
I was traumatized by seeing dead COCKROACH in the food packet given by them.@narendramodi @AshwiniVaishnaw @drmjabalpur @wc_railway @Central_Railway @RailMinIndia @IRCTCofficial @fssaiindia @MOFPI_GOI pic.twitter.com/YILLixgLzj— डाॅ. शुभेन्दु केशरी ⚕️👨⚕️ (@iamdrkeshari) February 2, 2024
Viral Tweet and IRCTC’s Swift Response
On February 3, Dr. Keshari posted his complaint and supporting images on X (formerly Twitter), leading IRCTC to issue a public apology. The corporation addressed the matter seriously, announcing that a “hefty penalty” was imposed on the contractor responsible and that monitoring of meal preparations had been enhanced.
Passenger Reactions to the Incident
The incident sparked numerous reactions from other users, many of whom expressed disappointment and distrust toward the food services on Indian Railways.
- “Contractors are the king in Indian Railways…destroyed the experience of passengers,” wrote one user, urging for better oversight.
- Another user expressed concern over food safety norms, stating, “Disturbed to see why channel partners are violating food safety norms.”
- One individual decided to avoid ordering railway meals altogether, saying, “Thanks for exposing the quality, never gonna order in railways from now.”
Growing Attention on Social Media
Dr. Keshari’s post quickly gained traction, amassing over 34,600 views and numerous likes and comments from concerned citizens. The incident has raised questions about food safety and quality on premium train services like Vande Bharat.
IRCTC’s Commitment to Enhanced Monitoring
In response to the backlash, IRCTC stated that measures have been taken to enhance quality control and monitoring processes, reinforcing their commitment to providing a hygienic and pleasant experience for all passengers.