Over the past few years, Indian railways have undergone a notable transformation when it comes to services and infrastructure. As the nation’s lifeline, it not only links all of India but also plays a significant role in the everyday lives of millions of people. To run the Indian Railways effectively, several subdivisions have been established, which perform specialized functions in their respective fields. IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) is the most significant among them.
It is a significant component of Indian Railways, which offers passengers internet ticketing, catering, and travel packages. Its initiatives have enhanced food quality, improved hygiene, and made train ticketing simple, all of which have enhanced the image of rail services. However, despite so many efforts, problems with food and quality, and hygiene are still bugging passengers. Recently, AAP leader Sanjay Singh’s wife also echoed the same sentiments. However, to everyone’s surprise, IRCTC gives her a very vague response.
ADVERTISEMENT
AAP leader Sanjay Singh’s wife complained about the food quality onboard
Indian Railways’ Tejas Express is renowned for providing premium facilities to passengers. Apart from being semi-high speed and fully air-conditioned, Tejas Express is also sometimes praised for its catering services. However, Anita Singh, wife of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh, has different thoughts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Recently, she was travelling from New Delhi to Lucknow through the Tejas Express. However, it seems that the quality of food she got on board left her mood ruined. To express her dissatisfaction, she posted pictures of food on X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote,
The food served on the Tejas Express was utterly deplorable. The roti was as hard as papad, the paneer was stale, and instead of dal, only water was served. Is this the railway’s “world-class” service? Stop playing with passengers’ health! Honorable @AshwiniVaishnaw ji, please take note. @RailMinIndia
PNR No 2338310371
तेजस एक्सप्रेस में मिला खाना बेहद घटिया था। रोटी पापड़ जैसी सख्त, पनीर बासी और दाल की जगह सिर्फ़ पानी परोसा गया।क्या यही है रेलवे की “वर्ल्ड क्लास” सेवा? यात्रियों की सेहत से खिलवाड़ बंद हो!
माननीय @AshwiniVaishnaw जी, कृपया संज्ञान लें।@RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/v0t0bbwwWE
— Anita Singh (@AnitaSingh_) July 11, 2025
How did IRCTC react to Anita Singh’s tweet?
Wasting no time, the official X account of IRCTC reacted to the above-mentioned tweet. In response, the catering service clarified that Tejas Express regularly inspects the food’s quality prior to serving. IRCTC wrote,
Advertisment
Madam, With reference to the feedback regarding catering services provided by you on 11/07/25 in the New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express train, we wish to inform you that the quality of the food is checked before serving, and no complaints in this regard have been received from other passengers in the said coach; rather, the catering has generally been appreciated.
IRCTC added that they are still taking her feedback very seriously and will offer her a replacement meal. They said,
ADVERTISEMENT
The catering team available on the train attended to you and also offered a replacement meal. Nevertheless, taking your feedback seriously and to further strengthen the quality, a senior official has been appointed to ensure compliance with all standards, and appropriate guidelines will be ensured accordingly.
महोदया,
आपके द्वारा दिनाँक 11/07/25 को नई दिल्ली -लखनऊ तेजस एक्स्प्रेस ट्रेन में खानपान संबंधित फीडबैक के संदर्भ में अवगत कराना है कि भोजन की गुणवत्ता जाँच परोसने से पूर्व की जाती है और उक्त कोच से किसी और यात्रीगण की इस संबंध में कोई शिकायत प्राप्त नही हुई है, अपितु…
— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) July 12, 2025
How did netizens react to the whole fiasco?
Meanwhile, netizens were not pleased with IRCTC’s apparently quick response. Many people thought the response’s tone was dismissive and defensive, particularly when IRCTC stated that “no one else complained.” Other social media users drew attention to the fact that poor food and excessive prices have become widespread problems on Indian trains, including high-end ones. Others criticized private contractors’ lack of responsibility and recommended that IRCTC concentrate more on fixing problems than defending itself online.
Have a look at some of the responses:
ADVERTISEMENT
कभी चाय पिए हो अपने विभाग की पीना भी मत पैसा बर्बाद चाय होती है उससे अच्छा है घर से पानी लेकर चलना उसे पी लेना
— Virat Sharma (@Viratpandit52) July 14, 2025
Mai bhi Rajdhani me travel karta hu but khana achha nahi milta.
Koi complain nahi karta issey Kya matlab hai?
Maine pahle bhi Rajdhani me travel kiya hai or humko toh ab ye lagta hai ki pahle jayada achha khana milta tha 2009-12 me.
Haa aapka vande Bharat me achha milta hai.— अश्विनी कुमार (@Singhash119) July 13, 2025
तुम्हारे किसी भी ट्रेन में किसी भी कोच में रेल नीर 15 की जगह 20 में बेचा जाता है
पर अगर कोई कंप्लेंट नहीं कर रहा तो इसका क्या मतलब …….जो कंप्लेन के रहा वो गलत है…पागल है
इंडिया के लोग भोले है…95%को कंपलेन करना ही नहीं आता या करते नहीं है
गजब चुटिया हो #irctc…
— Naveen Pratap Singh KURMI💪🏻 (@naveenbhu017) July 12, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Railways has made the system of complaints’ redressal of such type so that traveller shouldn’t get relaxed for even a moment and whole the time of journey should be spent in playing complaint- complaint. The things like “real-time” aren’t in the working of Railways.
— KAPIL GUPTA (@GuptaKaypee) July 14, 2025
आपलोग खुद ही दो बाते कर रहे हो पहला की किसी दूसरे यात्री ने शिकायत नहीं किया, और दूसरा की आपने खराब खाने को रिप्लेस भी किया, जब खाना खराब नहीं था तो रिप्लेस क्यू किया गया??
— Murad Shaikh (@MuradSh51244439) July 12, 2025
This reply from IRCTC clearly exposes the rot within the system.
Overcharging for meals and water is rampant across trains—not just one. Passengers complain, but your staff turns a blind eye every time.Instead of fake justifications, fix your corrupt food contractors.— Mukesh Chandrakar (Voice of India) (@VoiceofMukesh) July 12, 2025
Meanwhile, this is not the first time that any passenger faced such kind of issues with the onboard meal. Like every time, Indian Railways says that they will take action, but I don’t know if they actually take any action or not. Such kind of incidents are not only eroding people’s trust in Indian Railways but also damaging its image. Indian Railways, especially IRCTC, needs some serious course corrections.
What do you think about this? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.
ADVERTISEMENT
