IRCTC fines food vendor Rs 5 lakh after 25 students fall ill on Mangala Lakshadweep Express
IRCTC has penalised a food service provider Rs 5 lakh after 25 of 80 students aboard the Mangala Lakshadweep Express fell ill, prompting an inquiry and food sample testing.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has levied a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on a food service provider after 25 students travelling on the Mangala Lakshadweep Express reported illness during their journey.
The affected students were part of a group of 80 travelling on train number 12618, which departed from Hazrat Nizamuddin on August 28. Railway doctors attended to the students at Khandwa and Bhusawal stations, where the train made stops. The onboard IRCTC team continued to provide medical support and light, convalescent food for the rest of the trip.
IRCTC said no other passengers or students who consumed food from the same batch reported similar symptoms. As a precaution, railway officials collected food samples at Bhusawal and sent them to an authorised laboratory for testing.
"Considering the seriousness of the incident and based on the prima facie findings, a penalty of Rs 5 lakhs has been imposed on the service provider," IRCTC said in a statement. A detailed inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause of the illness.
The action follows a broader IRCTC crackdown on unauthorised food and water sales on trains. Last month, the corporation seized more than 8,000 bottles during enforcement drives. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been formed to conduct inspections on trains and at stations in coordination with the Commercial Department of Indian Railways, checking for packaged drinking water, food and beverages that do not meet prescribed standards.