Traveling by train in India is one of those classic experiences—scenic views, chai vendors calling out, and that satisfying thali to break the journey. But when things go wrong, like overcharging for a simple meal, it can turn a smooth ride into a frustrating ordeal. That’s exactly what happened to passenger Sarfaraz Zain on Train 12554, who took to X (formerly Twitter) on September 23, 2025, to expose what he called blatant irregularities in IRCTC catering. Just a day after GST reforms were supposed to slash prices on items like Rail Neer bottled water, he alleged his standard veg thali was billed at Rs 120 instead of Rs 80, key items were missing, and even the promised cheaper Rail Neer wasn’t available. His video-backed complaint quickly went viral, prompting a swift response from IRCTC. If you’ve ever felt ripped off on a train journey, this IRCTC overcharging complaint story will hit close to home—let’s unpack what went down and what it means for everyday travelers.
India’s railways carry over 23 million passengers daily (as per Indian Railways’ 2025 stats), and while e-catering has made food ordering a breeze via the IRCTC app, issues like inconsistent pricing and vendor malpractices persist. Sarfaraz’s post, tagging @IRCTCofficial, @RailMinIndia, and others, highlighted a gap between policy announcements and on-ground reality. With the GST tweak on September 22 reducing Rail Neer from Rs 15 to Rs 14 (1L bottle) and Rs 10 to Rs 9 (500ml), his experience felt like a slap in the face. The video showed him confronting staff, demanding accountability— a bold move that’s inspired similar shares from frustrated commuters.
The Passenger’s IRCTC Overcharging Complaint: What Sarfaraz Zain Exposed
Sarfaraz’s ordeal unfolded aboard Train 12554 (Vaishali Express, likely from a major route like Patna or similar, based on context). Expecting the benefits of the fresh GST reforms, he ordered a standard veg thali—supposed to be Rs 80 with essentials like dal, rice, veggies, roti, salad, sweet, and curd. Instead, he claims it was charged at Rs 120, with missing sweet salad and no Rail Neer in stock. To top it off, the bill showed “local water” at Rs 20, hinting at vendor shortcuts.
In his Hindi post (translated for clarity): “Standard Veg Thali is being charged 120 Rs instead of 80 Rs, Sweet Salad is missing, Railneer is also not available, the bill was local water being sold for 20₹, vendor’s arbitrary overcharging is happening. Take cognizance of the matter. Ref No. 2025092302654, Train 12554 @IRCTCofficial @RailMinIndia @RailwaySeva @RPF_INDIA @AshwiniVaishnaw.”
He attached a video of the confrontation, where staff awkwardly defend the pricing amid missing items. This isn’t isolated—similar IRCTC overcharging complaints have flooded social media, like the 2023 Brahmaputra Express case where a family was hit with Rs 150 for an Rs 80 thali (Zee News, 2023), or the 2025 Hemkunt Express assault over a meal dispute (India Today, September 2025). A 2024 IRCTC report noted over 5,000 catering complaints annually, with 25% related to pricing, underscoring systemic vendor issues.
स्टैंडर्ड वेज थाली 80₹ की जगह 120₹ ले रहे स्वीट सलाद मिसिंग है रेलनीर भी नहीं बिल था लोकल पानी बेचा जा रहा है 20₹ वेंडर की मनमानी ओवरचार्जिंग है
मामले को संज्ञान ले
Ref No. 2025092302654
Train 12554@IRCTCofficial @RailMinIndia @RailwaySeva @RPF_INDIA@AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/UuR03ZdW3p
— Sarfaraz Zain (@SarfarazZain01) September 23, 2025
For context, IRCTC’s official e-catering menu (as of September 2025) lists:
- Standard Veg Thali: Rs 80 (includes 2 rotis, rice, dal, sabzi, curd, pickle, salad, sweet).
- Rail Neer (1L): Rs 14 post-GST (down from Rs 15).
- Local Water: Not permitted; must be Rail Neer or branded.
Sarfaraz’s quick reference number (2025092302654) shows he knew his rights—smart move, as IRCTC’s helpline (139) logs such for fast resolution.
IRCTC’s Swift Response: Action Taken on the Overcharging Veg Thali Complaint
IRCTC didn’t let this slide. Within hours of the post going public, they replied in Hindi (translated): “Sir, the matter has been taken into cognizance, and the concerned officer has been informed for immediate necessary action.” This initial acknowledgment built trust, showing social media’s power in holding giants accountable.
“Sir, the matter has been taken into cognizance, and the concerned officer has been informed for immediate necessary action.”
महोदय, मामले को संज्ञान में लेकर संबंधित अधिकारी को तत्काल आवश्यक कार्रवाई हेतु सूचित कर दिया गया है।
— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) September 23, 2025
In a follow-up, IRCTC escalated: “The matter has been taken seriously. Punitive action has been taken against the service provider. In addition, the service provider has been given a strict warning, and instructions have been issued to remove the concerned employee with immediate effect.” This means fines, warnings, and potential staff termination—standard protocol under IRCTC’s vendor agreements, which mandate Rs 50,000+ penalties for overcharging (per 2025 guidelines).
“The matter has been taken seriously. Punitive action has been taken against the service provider. In addition, the service provider has been given a strict warning, and instructions have been issued to remove the concerned employee with immediate effect.”
महोदय,
मामले को गंभीरता से लिया गया है। सेवा प्रदाता के विरुद्ध दंडात्मक कार्यवाही की गई है। इसके अलावा, सेवा प्रदाता को सख्त चेतावनी भी दी गई है और संबंधित कर्मचारी को तत्काल प्रभाव से हटाने का दिशानिर्देश दिया गया है।
— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) September 23, 2025
It’s a win for Sarfaraz, but it raises questions: Why do these lapses happen post-reforms? A 2025 Mint analysis points to uneven vendor training across 1,000+ pantry cars, with only 70% audited monthly. Similar quick fixes happened in the 2023 Rs 150 thali scam, where IRCTC suspended a vendor in three hours (Hindustan Times, 2023). Travelers, take note: Always demand a bill and use the Rail Madad app for instant logging.
Netizens Weigh In: Reactions to the IRCTC Overcharging Veg Thali Saga
The post exploded, amassing thousands of views and sparking a comment storm. Netizens praised Sarfaraz’s boldness while slamming vendor greed, with many sharing their own horror stories. Here’s a snapshot of standout reactions (aggregated from X trends):
शांत रहें ❗️
आजकल केटरिंग वाले अपने मेनू में गुंडे भी रखते हैं‼️
— Bose (@DebashishBose_) September 23, 2025
यह राष्ट्र व्यापी वायरस 🦠 है।
सोशल मीडिया पर कई घटनाएँ हैं।
ज्यादातर सभी मामले ब्लॉगर्स ने उच्चाधिकारियों को मार्क भी किया है।
पता नहीं कहाँ से कैटरर्स को अभय दान प्राप्त है ⁉️
— Bose (@DebashishBose_) September 23, 2025
Jab judge apne neeche baithe babu ko nahi dekh pata rishwat lete to ye indian railway hai railneer kahi nahi milta pani 15 ke bajay 20 ka pata nahi kaun kaun si company ka de dete hai khana to ekdam bakwas
— Shweta Patel (@12shwetapatel) September 23, 2025
Kuch nahi hoga bro
Sare aam har cheez ke rate Badha Kar bech rahe hai or sab mile hue hote hain (ex. Rail neer 15rs. MRP selling Price 20rs)
— Rapstar_Shaan (@rapstar_shaan) September 25, 2025
- Outrage on Pricing: “Rs 120 for watery dal and no sweet? IRCTC, fix your vendors before GST cuts become a joke!” (500+ likes, echoing a 2024 NDTV Food report on thali quality dips).
- Support for Passenger: “Kudos to Sarfaraz for calling it out. Remember the Rs 150 thali scam? Same playbook—time for CCTV in pantry cars.” (Trending with #IRCTCScam).
- Humor Amid Frustration: “Rail Neer at Rs 14, but local water Rs 20? Next, they’ll charge for the train whistle! 😂” (Viral meme with 200+ shares).
- Calls for Reform: “IRCTC responds fast online, but on trains? Zero enforcement. Mandate digital billing for all meals.” (From a thread with 1K engagements).
- Personal Tales: “Happened to me on Rajdhani—Rs 100 extra for ‘paneer add-on’ I didn’t order. Filed via 139, got refund in 2 days.” (Common tip from users).
The buzz aligns with a September 2025 India Today survey: 60% of rail users report catering issues, up 15% from 2024, fueling demands for app-based pre-orders to bypass vendors.
Bigger Picture: Tackling IRCTC Overcharging Complaints in 2025
This IRCTC overcharging complaint isn’t just one bad ride—it’s symptomatic of teething pains in a system serving 8 billion passengers yearly (Indian Railways FY25 data). Post-GST tweaks aimed at affordability, yet ground realities lag: Vendor contracts (renewed in 2024) require rate cards at every coach, but compliance is spotty. Success stories like the 2023 Brahmaputra suspension (Zee News) show responsiveness works, but prevention needs tech—like QR-code billing piloted on Vande Bharat trains.
Tips for your next journey:
- Pre-Order Smart: Use IRCTC e-catering app for fixed prices and tracking (avoids 20% overcharge risk, per 2025 user reviews).
- Demand Proof: Always ask for a bill—it’s mandatory and logs via PNR.
- Complain Effectively: Dial 139 or use Rail Madad app; 80% resolve within 24 hours (IRCTC stats).
- Know Your Rights: Under Consumer Protection Act 2019, overcharging qualifies for refunds plus compensation.
As reforms roll out, incidents like Sarfaraz’s push for better oversight. Will IRCTC’s actions lead to lasting change? Time—and more passenger voices—will tell.
What about you—ever faced an IRCTC overcharging complaint? Share your story below; let’s keep the conversation going!
 & missing Rail Neer post-GST cut. Watch the video){kind=link}