July 23, 2025 — A passenger aboard the New Delhi-bound Vande Bharat Express stirred controversy online after sharing a photo of an insect found in his onboard meal, prompting widespread criticism of Indian Railways’ food quality and hygiene standards.
The incident occurred on July 22 on Train No. 22440, where the passenger, seated in coach C3, seat 53, posted an image on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showing a black insect floating in a portion of dal served in an aluminum tray. The photo quickly went viral, attracting thousands of reactions and sparking a renewed debate about the standards of catering on one of India’s flagship trains.
@eCateringIRCTC ,@indianrailway__ @RailMinIndia ,@AshwiniVaishnaw, @IRCTCofficial https://t.co/5n9pSr9UpX pic.twitter.com/09PrxWw5qk
— Hardik panchal (@HARDIK1008) July 22, 2025
“This is unacceptable. We paid a premium for comfort and quality. This is what we get?” the passenger captioned the post, tagging Indian Railways and relevant authorities.
The image led to swift public backlash, with several users sharing similar stories and tagging the Ministry of Railways, urging them to take immediate action. Many highlighted that this isn’t the first time such complaints have emerged regarding the Vande Bharat Express, which is touted as a symbol of modern Indian train travel.
Responding to the post, Indian Railways issued a statement via its official handle, saying, “We regret the inconvenience! Please share the details, PNR, and mobile number. You may also raise your concern directly on RailMadad for speedy redressal.”
While the reply acknowledged the issue, many online felt the response was generic and insufficient, given the gravity of the hygiene lapse. The passenger later confirmed he had filed a formal complaint through the RailMadad portal.
The incident has reignited calls for accountability in the railway catering system. Critics, including passenger advocacy groups and public health experts, are urging Indian Railways to increase oversight on food contractors, conduct regular audits, and ensure rigorous training of catering staff. “This cannot be dismissed as a one-off. Repeated cases of such negligence point to systemic flaws,” said a representative of the Indian Passenger Welfare Association.
This is not the first hygiene-related controversy surrounding Vande Bharat trains. In 2024, another passenger traveling on a different route reported finding insects in sambhar served during the journey. That post too had gone viral, resulting in a temporary investigation but little follow-up action visible to the public.
Launched as part of the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, the Vande Bharat Express is marketed as a premium, medium-distance, superfast train offering state-of-the-art facilities, faster travel times, and superior comfort. Designed to redefine rail travel in India, these trains feature modern seating, infotainment systems, automatic doors, GPS-based passenger information, and onboard catering included in the fare.
However, repeated incidents like this have cast a shadow on the service’s premium claims. “No matter how modern the train is, passengers expect safe, hygienic food. This is basic,” said a regular traveler on the Vande Bharat line.
Experts say such lapses could severely damage public trust in Indian Railways’ modernization efforts. “Consistency and quality control must go hand-in-hand with technological upgrades. You cannot offer a world-class train with third-rate catering,” noted transport analyst Rituparna Ghosh.
The Ministry of Railways has not issued an official press statement beyond the social media response at the time of writing. Industry insiders suggest that behind the scenes, food vendors operating under the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) may now face heightened scrutiny and audits.
For now, the passenger’s complaint has turned into a flashpoint for growing frustration over services that do not live up to their promises. As Indian Railways continues to expand the Vande Bharat fleet across the country, it remains to be seen whether customer safety and food hygiene will receive the attention they deserve.
