Railways React After Vande Bharat Passenger Discovers Insect in Train Meal

A traveller on Indian Railways' flagship train, the Vande Bharat Express, expressed dissatisfaction with the onboard food. The traveler shared a photo of a black insect floating in the "daal" that was served in an aluminum container on X. Widespread criticism of the food quality and cleanliness standards on what is regarded as one of India's top rail services was sparked by the image, which went viral very quickly. The event occurred on the New Delhi Vande Bharat Express on July 22, according to the tweet.

"Insect found in food during journey in Vande Bharat train dated 22 July 2025: Train no 22440 c3 53 seat No," the post on X read. 

 In response, the official RailwaySeva account issued an explanation.

"We regret the inconvenience! Please share the details, PNR and mobile no. You may also raise your concern directly on https://railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in for speedy redressal," their reply read.

Fresh demands for accountability and reform in Indian Railways' culinary services were sparked by the widely shared tweet. To guarantee adherence to safety regulations, several called for more stringent regulation of food vendors, frequent hygienic audits, and improved employee training.
The Vande Bharat Express, a medium-distance superfast express service with state-of-the-art amenities, has seen similar incidents in the past. Another traveler reported discovering insects in Sambhar in a similar incident last year; images of the incident were widely shared on social media. The constancy of food quality and hygiene aboard trains that are supposed to meet world-class standards has come under scrutiny as a result of these frequent complaints.

 The Vande Bharat Express, launched as part of the “Make in India” initiative, is designed to offer passengers a modern travel experience with features like faster travel times, enhanced safety protocols, and superior onboard services. According to the Ministry of Railways, these trains are intended to set a new benchmark for rail travel in India.