Passenger's Food Complaint
A traveler, Ayushi Singh, recently shared a distressing experience aboard the Vande Bharat Express, specifically on train number 22500 in coach E1 on March
27th. She claims that after consuming the meal provided during her journey, she developed a severe allergic reaction. Compounding her distress, her two-year-old son also experienced an upset stomach, reportedly suffering from diarrhea, after eating the same food. Singh described the situation as critical and urged for immediate action. To support her claims, she posted photographic evidence along with a medical prescription from Maa Ram Pyaari Superspeciality Hospital in Ranchi, detailing the allergic symptoms she faced following the consumption of the Vande Bharat meal. This incident has brought renewed attention to the standards of food served on premium railway services.
Staff and Food Quality Concerns
Beyond the immediate health concerns, Ayushi Singh also expressed significant dissatisfaction with the handling of her complaint by the train staff. She explicitly stated her disappointment with the "worst quality food" served on the Vande Bharat Express and characterized the staff's demeanor towards her concerns as "insensitive." Singh further elaborated on her doubts regarding the hygiene standards by mentioning that the water provided on the train had an unusual taste, leading her to question the overall sanitary conditions of the food and beverage service. Her public post aimed to highlight not only the personal health impact but also the perceived shortcomings in customer service and quality control during her journey, prompting a broader conversation among fellow travelers about similar experiences and expectations from such services.
IRCTC's Official Statement
In response to the viral social media post, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) issued a statement regarding the incident. IRCTC conducted an inspection of the lunch served on train number 22500, operating from BSB to DGHR on the Vande Bharat Express (specifically in Coach E1 on March 27th). According to their findings, the food provided was checked and deemed satisfactory. The corporation stated that no other complaints concerning the quality, hygiene, or safety of the food served on that particular day were registered by any other passengers. This official response from IRCTC presents a contrasting view to the passenger's allegations, indicating that their internal checks found no issues with the food provided on the specified date and coach. It is important to note that this information is based on the passenger's account and IRCTC's official reply, with independent verification pending.
