Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world and caters to millions of passengers daily. Because of the railways’ enormous structure, the Indian government constantly takes steps to help the number of passengers grow every day. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has recently introduced a number of new initiatives, such as Rail Neer and other pantry services.
Launched by IRCTC, Rail Neer is a branded bottled drinking water that ensures availability, affordability, and hygienic conditions in train stations and trains. With a price of about Rs 15 per liter, it is a dependable and affordable choice for travelers.
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However, the video that exposed the Rail Neer fraud has been popular on social media lately. In the video, the pantry boy gets into some mischief to make additional cash. As a result, internet users begin to doubt the railway’s overall management. Now, IRCTC responded to the entire incident as well.
Viral video claims IRCTC sells normal water instead of Rail Neer in trains
In a viral video, a passenger captures a shocking incident inside a train coach where a pantry boy is seen selling local water bottles despite a full stock of ‘Rail Neer’ bottles being available. A passenger aboard the Kurla Express (20104) first captured the footage, which has since resurfaced online and sparked new conversations about illegal train transactions.
In addition to exposing the pantry boy, the video also shows illegal vendors and gutkha merchants working inside the AC train. The pantry boy is shown begging with his hands folded after being confronted. However, the passenger keeps calling out the lie. On Twitter, Abhijit Majumdar posted the video, saying,
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A food and packaged water racket active on our trains, it seems. Local stuff being sold at a premium while railway Neer remains untouched. A young man has made this video, apparently on Kurla Express. Date of the incident is unclear, but @AshwiniVaishnaw -ji please look into this.
A food and packaged water racket active on our trains, it seems. Local stuff being sold at a premium while railway Neer remains untouched.
A young man has made this video, apparently on Kurla Express.
Date of the incident is unclear, but @AshwiniVaishnaw-ji please look into this. pic.twitter.com/m4bQ0VFcTy— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) March 15, 2025
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How did IRCTC react to the video?
The video soon went viral and directed a lot of criticism towards IRCTC. Nevertheless, IRCTC has now reacted to the video, calling it an old one. In their reply, IRCTC wrote,
Sir, this is an old video of 2022 and appropriate action was taken .
Thank you for the reply. Could we please know what action has been taken and if this menace has stopped?
— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) March 16, 2025
How did people react to the incident?
So far, this video has racked up more than 1.1 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter. The IRCTC’s statement further prompted demands for additional investigation and fact-checking. Many users fiercely reacted to the video, calling out the incompetency of Indian Railways and IRCTC. Here are some of the responses:
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Even on Vande Bharat, where @IRCTCofficial promises 1.5 L water (included in the ticket price) in 1 L & another 0.5 L bottles is not given to passengers. They only hand over the 0.5 L bottle. Another 0.5 is given only when passengers ask. The 1 L bottle is most likely sold off.
— Indic History (@IndicHistory) March 15, 2025
We should be grateful to such citizens who bring out relevant issues for the information of concerned authorities to take action. Looking forward to the Railway minister to take appropriate action.
— LtGen AK Choudhary(Retd) (@LtGenAshokInf) March 16, 2025
Its happening for years in India..Everyone gets the cut money and public are taken for a ride..
— Ramkishore Bang (@ramkishorebang) March 15, 2025
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Ashwini ji , improve railways internally & let’s pause talk of hydrogen trains now. Let the basics work first. Stampede at NDLS, bad tracks, slow Vande Bharat & such videos are worrisome. Piyush Bhai had repaired IR majorly. We don’t need great technology but strict discipline.
— SKA (@sanwar1975) March 16, 2025
किसी भी भारत के कोने में जहां भारतीय रेल चल रही है ये रैकेट वायरस की तरह फैला हुआ है….इसमें रेलवे स्टॉफ और जीआरपी दोनों की मिलीभगत है….गुटका बेचने वाला…लोकल आइटम बेचने वाले सबका कमीशन है निर्धारित है
— sanjay-ndls (@Sanjay_shc) March 16, 2025
Meanwhile, this is not the first time we heard this kind of incident. What is more worrisome about these kinds of incidents is that they are happening everywhere. While the pantry boy’s actions were exposed, the broader problem of unchecked vendors operating within trains remains a challenge. So, to win over the customers, Indian Railways and IRCTC need to ensure that only authorized products like Rail Neer are sold at fair prices.
What do you think about these kinds of incidents? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.
