A passenger travelling on the prestigious Vande Bharat Express was left horrified after discovering worms in the curd served as part of the onboard meal. The disturbing incident, captured in a viral video posted in March 2026, quickly gained traction online and led to swift action by authorities. IRCTC has been fined ₹10 lakh following the complaint.
The video, shared by the passenger on social media, shows the small curd container clearly containing several small white worms wriggling inside. The passenger, visibly disgusted, zooms in on the curd while expressing shock at the poor food quality on one of India’s most modern and premium trains.
What Happened
The passenger ordered a standard meal on the Vande Bharat Express (likely on a major route such as Delhi–Varanasi or Mumbai–Ahmedabad). When he opened the curd portion, he noticed movement and, upon closer inspection, found multiple worms. He immediately recorded the evidence and raised a strong complaint through official channels, tagging IRCTC and the Railway Minister’s handles.
Within hours, the video went viral. The passenger wrote: “Paid premium fare for Vande Bharat, got worms in curd. Is this the standard of food on India’s flagship train?”
The complaint was taken seriously. After an internal inquiry, IRCTC was slapped with a ₹10 lakh fine for the food safety lapse. This is one of the highest penalties imposed on IRCTC catering services in recent times for a single incident.
IRCTC’s Response
IRCTC issued a statement acknowledging the complaint and confirming the fine. They mentioned:
- The meal was supplied by a licensed catering contractor.
- Immediate suspension of the concerned contractor pending full investigation.
- Enhanced quality checks and random inspections are being introduced across Vande Bharat trains.
- Assurance that passenger safety and hygiene remain top priority.
However, many netizens pointed out that such incidents keep recurring despite repeated assurances, raising questions about the effectiveness of monitoring systems.
Public Reaction: Anger & Disappointment
The video triggered strong reactions:
- Disgust & outrage: “Vande Bharat is supposed to be premium. Worms in curd? Unacceptable! We pay so much extra for a better experience, and this is what we get?”
- Calls for accountability:“₹10 lakh fine is good, but contractors should be blacklisted permanently.”Random audits and heavy penalties are needed regularly.”
- Humorous takes: “Extra protein in curd 😂”“Vande Bharat now serving live food – next level!”
- Broader concern: Many compared it with past incidents of insects in airline or train meals, demanding stricter FSSAI enforcement on railway catering.
Vande Bharat Food Quality Context
Vande Bharat trains are marketed as India’s most modern rail service with premium catering. While most journeys are smooth, food-related complaints (cold meals, poor quality, hygiene issues) have surfaced occasionally. This worm incident is among the more serious ones and has put renewed pressure on IRCTC to improve standards.
Passengers are advised to:
- Inspect meals carefully before eating.
- Report issues immediately via the IRCTC app or 139 helpline.
- Prefer sealed, packaged items when possible.
