It has been some time since Indian Railways began Vande Bharat Express in India. The Railways are still launching these semi-high-speed trains in different parts of the country. Passengers are always very excited to travel on this express train. People who have travelled already often share their experiences. Recently, some reviews shared by a passenger are making the rounds online.
This Vande Bharat Passenger Tweeted About The “Pathetic and Stale Food”
Twitter user Himanshu Mukerjee (@Railfann9971) shared a series of tweets where he discussed his journey on the Vande Bharat Express and the quality of food items served while travelling.
Dear @drmmumbaicr @Central_Railway @KonkanRailway @RailwaySeva , Sharing few photos in the tweet for your reference.
1.The delicious food from Ahuja Caterers youll served free on the inaugural Run of 22230 Vande Bharat,
2.The Pathetic and Stale Food served (1/3) pic.twitter.com/slhyLFIGej— Himanshu Mukerjee (@Railfann9971) July 1, 2023
In his first tweet, he pointed out that the food from Ahuja Caterers served during the inaugural Run of 22230 Vande Bharat was delicious. He also added that the food was free of cost back then. But this time, he had a horrible experience as he received pathetic and stale food during his train ride. To point out the differences, he added pictures of food served during the inaugural run and the present time.
Also read: Man Books Vande Bharat Ticket But Another Train Arrives With Clogged Toilet & Pathetic Services
Himanshu was travelling on 22230 MAO-CSMT Vande Bharat on 1 July 2023 from Madgaon Junction to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Today in 22230 MAO-CSMT Vande Bharat, Pathetic is the only explainable word for it. Stone hard Paneer, Cold Food, Stale Salty Dal all dumped on to the enthusiastic passengers paying hefty 250rs for this food. I have been a daily Vande Bharat Traveller, hence can state (2/3)
— Himanshu Mukerjee (@Railfann9971) July 1, 2023
He tweeted that he had to pay ₹250 for stone-hard paneer, stale salty dal, and cold food. He also shared that he has been a daily traveller on this train so he could state the differences and how the food quality changed with time.
In another tweet, the Vande Bharat passenger added how some things were missing during his journey.
The missing Dahi, Sanitizer, and importantly quality. Please lend me a good explanation if your invited guests enjoy such good food, why cant a common paying passenger receive the same quality food.. All such work has already created a worst impression on the passengers. (3/3).
— Himanshu Mukerjee (@Railfann9971) July 1, 2023
He noticed that there were no curd and sanitiser provided to him on this journey from Madgaon Junction to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Himanshu asked for a good explanation tweeting “If your invited guests enjoy such good food, why can’t a common paying passenger receive the same quality food”.
IRCTC Responded To Himanshu’s Tweets
The viral tweet of this Vande Bharat passenger grabbed the attention of lakhs of Twitter users and IRCTC too.
Please be assured that we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality across all aspects of our service, including food preparation and delivery. Request you to share pnr and mobile no preferably in DM.
— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) July 4, 2023
The official Twitter account of IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) responded that they are “committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality across all aspects of the service, including food preparation and delivery.” Also, they asked Himanshu to share the PNR and mobile number.
Netizens Come In Support!
It seems like Himanshu is not the only one who had to face such experiences. Many Twitter users talked about their journeys and how they also feel that the food quality has dropped in the Vande Bharat Express.
@RailMinIndia during inaugration of Vande Bharat you serve 5 star quality food with good quantity and quality to people especially bureaucrats, Media non Railfan YouTube bloggers but in commercial less quantity water downed meal
— Arpan Mitra (@arpan355) July 1, 2023
@RailMinIndia @Central_Railway @KonkanRailway request you to kindly maintain the food quality served in this train. The food served during the inaugural run of this train was an excellent one. Request you to kindly not ruin the train due to its catering.
— JOSHUA MENDONCA (@joshua_jotham) July 1, 2023
Dear @IRCTCofficial @KonkanRailway In such cases you should refund the catering charges for onboard passengers, this train is introduced less than a week ago and such pathetic drop is quality of food is not acceptable.
— Akshay Jangra (@akshay_jangra09) July 1, 2023
Also read: Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express: Stations, Ticket Cost, Timing And All You Need To Know
Yes, the food they provide is waste, I traveled in Duronto Express a few days back, and they charged 700/per person for food but the quality was pathetic, although I spent 30 hours, still, the dynamic pricing of the premium train+ the quality of food is not at all worth.
— Tarboozreturn (@tarboozreturn) July 4, 2023
Have you ever had any such experiences?
Cover Image Courtesy: Twitter/ Himanshu Mukerjee (@Railfann9971)