IRCTC, also known as Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation, is a key component of the extensive Indian Railways network. IRCTC was founded in 1999 to improve passengers’ entire travel experiences. Its name has come to represent effectiveness, convenience, and innovation in the railway industry.
The management of culinary and hospitality services throughout the Indian Railways system is one of IRCTC’s main responsibilities. IRCTC runs a large number of pantry and catering units to make sure that customers get wholesome meals while traveling. However, like any other large enterprise, IRCTC also faces occasional challenges.
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Notably, it mostly challenges related to the subpar quality and hygiene of food. One such issue recently gained attention when videos surfaced depicting rats nibbling on food allegedly in the pantry car of the LTT-Madgaon Express. Needless to say, it raises major concerns about the cleanliness standards followed by Indian Railways. The video got so viral that it received the attention of IRCTC itself.
Here’s what occurred:
Video Rats nibbling on food in LTT-Madgaon Express went viral
On Wednesday, a shocking video that showed mice eating food inside the confines of a pantry compartment on a long-distance train appeared on social media. The upsetting occurrence occurred on board the 11009 LTT Madgaon Express.
A worried passenger going by the name @mangirish_tendulkar posted videos of the incident on Instagram. The incident is said to have happened on October 15. The passenger accidentally came onto an unsettling scene while trying to photograph the engine connecting to the train. The passenger wrote,
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Being a rail fan I thought of recording the engine coupling to the train so I started walking towards the end. This is where the real shock began. The Pantry Car was almost at the middle of the train which was a Garib Rath liveried coach where i could see at least 6-7 rats of which i could film only 4.
However, when he brought the matter to the attention of a Railway Protection Force (RPF) officer, the official allegedly remarked,
Look under the tracks, there are 500-600 rats. What is the problem if 5-6 of them get inside?
In the first video, a mouse is seen munching on the exposed food while seated on a kitchen tool inside the pantry vehicle. A second mouse then appears and flies into the dish with obvious disdain. In the second video, mice can be seen scurrying around the pantry platform, which was strewn with exposed packages of food components, cooking utensils, and open containers of chopped vegetables.
The video soon went viral on social media with a famous X account named Mumbai Matter also sharing the video on the platform. It has caused a great deal of concern among social media users, and many of them have taken to X to call on Indian Railways to act immediately. People criticized IRCTC for having too many subpar facilities.
Have a look at the video:
Do Watch…
To provide hygienic & tasty food to passengers & to monitor Quality Control #IndianRailways have appointed 🐭Food Tasters 🐀🐁inside Pantry Cars.
Pilot project inside Pantry Car of 11009 LTT Madgaon Express on 14th Oct 2023. pic.twitter.com/xM7m2330uS
— मुंबई Matters™ (@mumbaimatterz) October 18, 2023
IRCTC responded to the viral video
Upon realizing their mistake, IRCTC responded to a viral video. They said that actions will be taken against those who will be responsible for this incident. Replying to the abovementioned video, IRCTC wrote,
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The matter is viewed seriously and suitable action has been taken.Pantry Car Staff have been sensitised to ensure hygiene and cleanliness in the pantry car. The concerned have been suitably advised to ensure effective pest and rodent control measures which is being ensured.
The matter is viewed seriously and suitable action has been taken.Pantry Car Staff have been sensitised to ensure hygiene and cleanliness in the pantry car.
The concerned have been suitably advised to ensure effective pest and rodent control measures which is being ensured.— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) October 18, 2023
What are your views on this incident?
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