MADURAI: Taking swift action on a passenger’s complaint that an insect was found in the sambar served in Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express train on November 16th 2024, the railway authorities of Southern Railway’s Madurai Division had imposed a penalty of Rs.50,000 on the contractor and a detailed investigation has been ordered.
The Madurai Division has issued a press release and clarification regarding the complaint received from a passenger travelling in C2 coach of Train number 20666 Vande Bharat Express on 16th November 2024 who reported finding a small insect in the sambar served with his breakfast. The complaint was raised at 8 am shortly after the train departed from Madurai railway junction yesterday morning.
Immediately upon receiving the complaint, the railway officials team in Madurai Division had inspected the food which was supplied from Tirunelveli base kitchen managed by M/s Brindavan Food Products. The inspection team included onboard manager, Chief Catering Inspector, Chief Commercial Inspector and Assistant Commercial Manager.
“The insect was found stuck to the lid of the casserole container, appearing uncooked, suggesting possible post-preparation contamination. Officials had apologized to the passenger and assured strict action against the licensee and arranged an alternative food meal from Dindigul station, which the passenger declined. As a result of this negligence, a penalty of Rs.50,000 has been imposed on the contractor and the railway is conducting a detailed investigation into this incident taking into consideration all possibilities regarding the source of contamination,” the railway press release isuused here on November 16th 2024 has informed.
HEALTH INSPECTOR CHECKS:
The passenger’s food packet was handed over to the health inspector at Dindigul for quality checks and preliminary inspection of other food packages revealed no abnormalities. A through inspection of the mini-pantry area from where food packets were distributed was also found hygienic with no signs of insects. The Food Safety Officer, Health Inspector and Chief Commercial Inspector from Tirunelveli conducted a joint inspection at Tirunelveli base kitchen and food samples were collected and sent for testing,” the Madurai Division had clarified and added that passenger complaints are handled promptly through Rail Madad system ensuring timely resolution and follow-up.
