Are Disposable Food Containers Washed & Reused On Trains? Viral Video Sparks Outrage; IRCTC Reacts

New Delhi: A video from the Amrit Bharat Express (Train No. 16601) has gone viral and sparked outrage on social media.

The video shows disposable food containers being washed on the train’s basin and being kept aside for alleged reuse for the purpose of serving meals to passengers.

As the video clip was shared and viewed by thousands of users, Railway authorities were slammed for negligence and poor hygiene standards. Some called the practice unsafe, while others highlighted separate issues, including overcrowding in third AC coach and concerns over cleanliness and service quality, bringing into focus overall passenger experience on long-distance trains.

Some users tagged Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding accountability and expressing concern over passenger health and sanitation.

Congress party, which also shared the video on its verified X handle, raised concerns over food hygiene on trains and brought it to the Railway minister’s notice.

“Railway Minister, this is your service. Full fare is collected from the public, but on the other hand, this shameful act. You should be ashamed,” Congress wrote.

IRCTC, which is charge of catering and is under the administrative control of Ministry of Railways, took note of the controversy, and denied reuse of the containers.

“This video was immediately investigated. The casserole was used only once, not reused for catering or consumption. It is being cleaned and disposed of. This has been clearly proven through the factual investigation conducted in this regard,” IRCTC posted in Hindi.

Urging the public not to spread misleading news about reuse of casseroles for catering, IRCTC shared statements from the vendor and staff vis-à-vis the claim made in the video.