From the day it started its joinery from Mumbai to Goa, the Tejas express has been into the news, due to something or the other. It started with the robbing of earphones and other electronic gadgets and ended with the substandard quality food served on board. But, this time the matter became more serious as the news of food poisoning came into the light. More than 20 passengers have been admitted to the hospital after they complained of food poisoning on their way from Goa to Mumbai.
The Indian government is trying its best to provide the better train services by improving the standard of its railways but, despite that things does not seems to be changing. The behavior of passengers and food quality remains the same. The major reason behind the poor food quality is the contract system based on the lowest bidding. The contractors take over the contracts for the supplying of food items bidding the lowest rates in the tender and outcome of the same is the poor quality of food.
Tejas is supposed to be the premium train service on Goa Mumbai Mumbai route, started by the Konkan railways, but, the contractors remained the same. The incident of food poisoning took place on Sunday in Tejas express on its way from Goa to Mumbai. According to the reports, the passengers began complaining of illness after consuming the breakfast served on this premium segment train.
The train had to take an emergency halt at Chiplun, in Konkan region of Maharashtra, to get all the passengers with food poisoning symptoms admitted to the hospital. The sources from the private hospitals, where the passengers have been admitted following the complaint of illness said that the condition of the passengers is stable but they have been kept under the observation of doctors.
The sources have revealed that around 300 passengers have been served with the breakfast from the pantry staff of Tejas Express. Responding to the incident, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) said that “all the passengers currently hospitalized are out of danger and the same has been confirmed by hospital authorities.”
The sources in the railway said that Train No 22120 was on its way to Mumba from Goa and it had an emergency halt at Chiplun following the complaint. IRTC officials confirmed that they have initiated the inquiry into this to find out the sources of food served on the train for breakfast. Total 300 packets of breakfast have been served by the staff, which includes, 170 veg and 130 non-veg packets. “Food sample has been taken for investigation. Total no 300 breakfast (170 veg 130 non-veg) has been served,” the IRCTC said.
This is the matter of very serious concern as the life of passengers is at stake at this premium railway service recently launched on Goa Mumbai route. The services of this premium train have been taken by the upper-middle-class people of the society. This also considered to be an option for the air travel when the economy class tickets not available. What is your view on this? Please share your honest comments on this serious issue.
SOURCE: INDIA TODAY | HINDUSTAN TIMES
