In a shocking incident that has tarnished the premium image of India’s fastest train, a passenger on the Tatanagar-bound Vande Bharat Express found a live insect inside a curd cup served by the catering staff. The incident, which highlights a massive breach of food safety standards, has prompted Indian Railways to impose an unprecedented fine of ₹60 lakh on the IRCTC.

The ordeal began during breakfast service on Wednesday when a passenger noticed something moving inside the sealed curd container. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a live worm. The passenger immediately filmed the contaminated food and uploaded the video to social media, tagging the Railway Ministry and the PMO. The video quickly went viral, sparking a wave of outrage among frequent travelers who pay a premium for the quality services promised on Vande Bharat trains.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, railway authorities conducted a spot inspection and found the catering vendor guilty of gross negligence. Apart from the ₹60 lakh fine, the ministry has also initiated the process of blacklisting the specific food supplier involved. A senior railway official stated, “Zero tolerance will be maintained regarding food quality on our premium trains. This heavy fine serves as a stern warning to all service providers.” This move is seen as a strong step towards ensuring accountability in the railway’s catering wing.