Surat News: A rat was caught on camera eating a puff from a glass display counter at a tea stall inside Surat Railway Station, raising fresh concerns over food hygiene at railway catering outlets.
A passenger
recorded the incident during the early hours of August 29. The video shows the rodent inside the glass counter, nibbling at a puff kept alongside other food items intended for passengers.
The footage was subsequently widely shared on social media, prompting the railway authorities to intervene.
Stall Shut After Video Emerges
According to a report in India Today, Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Vineet Abhishek said the stall was closed immediately after the Indian Railways was informed about the video.
Rat caught eating a puff at a food stall inside Surat Railway Station.
The video went viral on social media, following which the outlet was sealed by authorities. pic.twitter.com/YIcef64xFA
— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) August 31, 2026
While the outlet was shut, cleaning was carried out at the stall. The Railway Commercial Department has also initiated action against the operator.
The Indian Railways is further considering steps that could result in the permanent termination of the stall’s contract.
Incident Comes Amid Cleanliness Drive
The incident comes only days after Western Railway announced a special deep-cleaning and sanitisation exercise covering food stalls at Surat and Udhna railway stations.
The exercise formed part of an ongoing catering campaign focused on raising cleanliness and hygiene standards at railway food outlets.
Pest Control Carried Out On August 16
Vineet Abhishek said pest and rodent control measures had also been undertaken at the station on August 16 as part of the campaign.
He said strict action was being taken against those found responsible for the lapses.
