Passengers Harassed and Threatened to Buy Food on Indian Trains; IRCTC Issues Fine After Viral Outcry
New Delhi: Several disturbing videos showing onboard food vendors harassing and threatening train passengers have gone viral on social media, raising serious questions about passenger safety and catering standards on Indian Railways.
The viral clips, reportedly filmed on long-distance trains including the Jananayak Express and the 14618 Amritsar–Purnia Court Jansewa Express, capture catering staff aggressively pressuring travelers to purchase meals against their will.
Forced Purchases and Threats to Deboard
In one widely shared clip, an onboard vendor is seen arguing fiercely with a traveler inside a coach. When the passenger clearly states that he does not want to buy food and lacks the money to pay for it, the vendor refuses to back down.
Instead of respecting the traveler’s choice, the vendor insists that only those who buy meals are allowed to sit in that section of the coach. The argument escalates when the vendor threatens to throw the passenger’s luggage out and force him off the train if he refuses to place a food order.
Complaints Over Stale Food and Overcharging
Another video highlighted in the report sheds light on food quality issues during peak travel seasons. Passengers traveling in a general coach alleged that catering workers sold them meal plates for ₹150 each, only for them to discover that the vegetables and food items were stale and emitting a foul smell.
When travelers confronted the vendors and demanded a refund for the inedible meal, the staff allegedly responded with hostility and refused to return their money. In another clip, frustrated passengers are seen demanding intervention from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to stop the forced extortion.
Public Backlash and IRCTC’s Official Response
As the footage gained traction online, regular commuters expressed anger over the lack of strict monitoring inside trains, especially in crowded general and sleeper compartments. Social media users pointed out that similar complaints on the 14618 Jansewa Express often go unaddressed despite repeated reports.
Following heavy online criticism, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) responded to the viral posts. Initially, officials requested specific travel dates and train details to verify the incident. Later, IRCTC stated that it had taken serious note of the misconduct. According to the official statement, a show-cause notice was issued to the responsible catering licensee, along with a heavy financial penalty.
However, authorities have not yet disclosed the exact fine amount or confirmed whether the individual vendors caught on camera have been removed from service. Meanwhile, commuters continue to demand stricter enforcement through platforms like RailMadad so that buying onboard food remains strictly optional rather than a forced condition for travel.
(Source: Video report by Live Hindustan https://youtu.be/6DN_stAyFqg?si=sMtQu-dZ127Vk5i4)
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