'Is this world-class?': AAP leader Sanjay Singh's wife slams IRCTC over ‘papad-like roti, watery dal' on Tejas Express

Time of India

14-07-2025

New Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express has come under fire after Anita Singh, wife of AAP leader Sanjay Singh, shared a post on social media criticising the food quality on board the premium train.
Calling the meal 'extremely poor,' Anita Singh took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her frustration. She wrote, 'The food served on Tejas Express was of extremely poor quality, rotis were as hard as papad, paneer was stale, and instead of dal, only water was served. Is this what Indian Railways calls 'world-class' service? Stop playing with passengers' health!'
She also tagged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in her post, urging him to take immediate action. Her post included a photo showing a tray with four foil containers, containing what looked like dal, paneer curry, aloo sabzi, and rice.
— AnitaSingh_ (@AnitaSingh_)
IRCTC responds to viral complaint
Following the complaint, IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) responded, stating that food quality is checked regularly and that no other passengers in the same coach had raised similar concerns.
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In its reply, IRCTC said: 'Your feedback has been taken seriously. No complaints were received from other passengers in the coach, and catering services were generally appreciated. However, we offered a replacement meal to the passenger immediately.'
The organisation also confirmed that a senior official has now been appointed to ensure better compliance with food quality standards on Tejas Express.
'World-class' tag under scrutiny
Tejas Express is often promoted as a world-class train service with premium features and onboard catering. However, this incident has sparked a wider conversation about railway food quality and whether it matches the standards promised.
Singh's post quickly gained traction on social media, with many users sharing similar experiences or calling for better oversight.
Why train food quality matters
This is not the first time passengers have raised questions about meals on Indian trains. As more people travel by premium services like Tejas, expectations for hygiene, freshness, and taste are higher than ever.
Incidents like this one can impact passenger trust, especially when services are marketed as premium or luxury travel experiences.
Passengers are encouraged to share feedback directly with IRCTC through official channels, including their mobile app and toll-free numbers, to help improve services.