India’s premium semi-high-speed train, Vande Bharat Express, is facing fresh criticism over its food quality and hygiene. Passengers have shared videos online showing worrying practices in onboard catering, sparking outrage on social media.
A viral clip from October 18, 2025, on Train No. 16601 showed catering staff washing used disposable food containers in a coach washbasin. The video prompted immediate action from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The agency identified the vendor responsible and fined them Rs 5 lakh for violating hygiene rules.
Earlier complaints also revealed that stale food was being served. A passenger travelling from New Delhi to Varanasi shared videos of the meals online, leading Indian Railways to investigate and take corrective measures.
Vande Bharat Express Passenger Calls Out ‘Dog Shit’ Food
The issue resurfaced when another passenger vented frustration on social media. Sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter), the user wrote, “Quality of food onboard 20706 Vande Bharat. After charging exorbitant prices, this is the kind of dog shit that is being served. Hope the ministry takes cognisance of rampant complaint concerning the quality of food being served onboard Vande Bharat.”
Check out some online user reactions to it:
“I never opt for train food. I’ve seen the mass kitchens and know the hygiene level they maintain. I can’t eat that food after witnessing it. Always carry your own food.”
“What were you expecting? 5-course meal from Railways?”
“Since @RailMinIndia was not able to address quality concerns, at least they gave an option to opt out of catering charges during ticket booking. Please use the option to choose/bring your food. My family and I have been using it and are thankful.”
Another Recent Incident
Another passenger, Shukul Pankaj, who was travelling from Vande Bharat Express earlier raised concerns about staff washing used aluminium casseroles in a coach washbasin. After the complaint on X, IRCTC contacted him directly. The vendor explained that the casseroles were being cleaned for recycling.
Pankaj received a formal apology. IRCTC also confirmed that stricter measures will be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. The vendor, Amarjeet Kumar, was deboarded at Khagaria railway junction and his ID card has been blacklisted to prevent further employment in the IRCTC network.
The licensee, M/s Express Food Services, has been fined Rs 5 lakh. A show-cause notice regarding termination of their contract has also been proposed.
