Overview

• A traveler on the New Delhi Vande Bharat Express discovered a black insect in their daal meal on July 22, sharing the image on X and triggering widespread criticism of onboard hygiene.
• RailwaySeva issued an immediate public apology and requested the passenger’s PNR and contact details to enable a thorough investigation.
• A senior Railways official said the incident fell short of expected standards and confirmed that catering practices are under formal review.
• The episode has reignited demands for stricter oversight of private food vendors, more frequent hygiene audits, and enhanced staff training to safeguard passenger health.
• The Vande Bharat Express, launched under the Make in India initiative to set new benchmarks for speed and service, has faced similar food hygiene breaches before, underscoring ongoing quality challenges.