The Ministry of Railways has shared details of this entire action via social media platforms, making it clear that strict measures will be taken immediately in cases of non-compliance with standards.

Indian Railways has once again firmly reiterated its commitment to providing better and safer services to passengers. Following a complaint regarding the quality of food served on the Vande Bharat Express, the Railways took swift and stringent action, imposing heavy fines on the responsible parties. This action is viewed not only as a stern message to service providers but also demonstrates that the Railways will not tolerate any form of negligence regarding passenger safety and service quality. The Ministry of Railways shared details of this entire operation on social media platforms, clarifying that strict measures will be implemented immediately in the event of any violation of established standards.

Major Action Taken Following Complaint

According to reports, on March 15, 2026, a passenger lodged a complaint regarding the quality of food served on Train No. 21896, the Patna–Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express. Taking this complaint seriously, Indian Railways conducted an investigation into the matter and initiated action upon discovering irregularities. Consequently, a fine of ₹10 lakh was imposed on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

15 मार्च 2026 को ट्रेन संख्या 21896 (पटना – टाटानगर वंदे भारत एक्स) में पाई गई अनियमितता के संबंध में यात्री द्वारा भोजन की गुणवत्ता पर की गई शिकायत को गंभीरता से लिया गया है। कार्रवाई करते हुए IRCTC पर ₹10 लाख का दंड लगाया गया है, संबंधित service provider पर ₹50 लाख का…

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) March 25, 2026

₹50 Lakh Fine on Service Provider; Contract Terminated

Taking further steps in the matter, the Railways initiated even stricter measures against the concerned service provider. A fine of ₹50 lakh has been imposed on the company, and orders have also been issued to terminate its contract. This decision underscores the fact that the Railways takes any lapse in service quality very seriously and holds responsible entities accountable for their actions.

Statement from the Ministry of Railways

A Railways spokesperson stated that passenger safety and the quality of service remain their utmost priority. The information shared by the Ministry of Railways further clarified that immediate and strict action is taken in such instances to ensure that similar incidents do not recur in the future.

Serving Millions of Passengers Daily

It is worth noting that Indian Railways, through IRCTC, provides meals to over 1.5 million passengers daily across its vast network. This constitutes one of the largest onboard food operations globally. Consequently, food quality and safety serve as the most critical pillars of this entire system.

No Compromise on Standards

The Railways have made it clear that any violation of established standards will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The action taken following this incident demonstrates that Indian Railways is fully committed to enhancing its systems and delivering safe, high-quality services to its passengers.