‘Uneasiness due to children’s vomit’

The Indian Railways’ internal inquiry report has concluded that the quality of the food served on board the Tejas Express was satisfactory – a day after 25 passengers were hospitalised due to food poisoning after consuming breakfast on the premium train, between Goa and Mumbai.

The inquiry conducted by a committee of the Central Railway has instead blamed the passengers for the incident. It said that the “suspected” food poisoning was triggered by two children who vomited on the train coach floor that “vitiated the air quality and triggered uneasiness” among all other passengers.

“From the perusal of interaction with passengers, statements given by passengers, on-duty TTEs, AC mechanic and pantry staff, it appears that the food quality on Tejas Express was satisfactory,” the report submitted by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) assistant general manager Rajesh Rana said.

The Central Railway collected food samples and observed “they all were well within their expiry (date).”

Omelette not tested

It took sample of soup powder, poha, cake, bread sticks, kokum sarbat and jumpin mango punch served during the breakfast for quality control. However, the Railway authorities didn’t test the sample of omelette that reportedly had a foul smell, as per its own inquiry report.

“A few passengers complained of a slightly different smell from the omelette served to them,” the report stated, concluding that the “quality of omelette may be ensured while serving.”

Asked why an omelette sample was not sent for testing, an IRCTC official, requesting anonymity, said, “There was no need to take the sample of omelette as many other passengers who consumed it had no issues with it.”

According to the report, two children belonging to a tourist group from Himachal Pradesh vomited inside the coach.

The report said this led to “uneasiness” among others who passed through their coach, followed by vomiting by four more children in the train.