Worms Found in Vande Bharat Meal, IRCTC Fined ₹10 Lakh

March 26, 2026

A serious food safety concern has surfaced on the Vande Bharat Express after a passenger allegedly found live worms in curd served during the journey. The incident took place on the Patna–Tatanagar route, where a passenger raised a complaint after noticing contamination in the meal provided onboard.

Passenger Complaint Triggers Action

The complaint was filed by a passenger identified as Ritesh Kumar, who shared visuals showing worms in the curd (reportedly an Amul product). The video quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread public attention. Railway authorities took cognisance of the issue and initiated an inquiry into the matter.

Breaking –

पटना से टाटानगर जाने वाली वंदेभारत एक्सप्रेस में जो अमूल दही परोसी गई, उसमें कीड़े तैर रहे थे।

यात्री रितेश कुमार की कंप्लेंट पर रेल मंत्रालय ने ICRTC पर 10 लाख और सर्विस प्रोवाइडर पर 50 लाख रुपए जुर्माना लगाया है। pic.twitter.com/R1iQDtqmke

— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) March 25, 2026

Railways Impose Heavy Penalties

Following the investigation, the Ministry of Railways imposed strict penalties:

• ₹10 lakh fine on IRCTC
• ₹50 lakh fine on the private service provider
• Termination of the vendor’s contract

Officials stated that the complaint regarding food quality was taken “seriously,” and strict action was necessary to maintain standards.

Video Shows Staff Initially Dismissing Complaint

In the viral video, the onboard staff allegedly dismissed the worms as “kesar” (saffron) before later acknowledging the issue after closer inspection. Reports suggest the curd may have been outdated, raising concerns about food handling and quality checks.

Railways Assure Strict Monitoring

Authorities reiterated that passenger safety and food quality remain top priorities. Measures are being taken to strengthen inspection systems and prevent such incidents in the future.

Concerns Over Food Safety on Premium Trains

The incident has sparked debate over catering standards on premium trains like Vande Bharat Express, which are marketed for high-quality service. Experts say stricter quality control and vendor accountability are essential to maintain passenger trust.