According to the Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, the meals were not provided by the railway personnel or IRCTC staff.
A special package train, Bharat Gaurav Yatra, turned into a health crisis as approximately 90 passengers travelling from Chennai to Palitana in Gujarat faced food poisoning after consuming onboard meals. The incident led to an emergency stop at Pune railway station.
Details of the Incident: The train, with the identification number 06911, altered its route to Palitana in Gujarat after passengers reported symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. The emergency stop at Pune railway station occurred a few hours into the journey.
Immediate Medical Response: Upon arrival at Pune station, a swift medical response unfolded, involving three teams. The first team consisted of 15 railway doctors and staff, the second team comprised 13 private doctors and staff, and eight NGO staff members formed the third team. Additionally, four chief health inspectors joined forces to provide necessary medical attention.
Source of the Food Contamination: According to the Central Railway Public Relations Officer, the food causing the illness was not supplied by railway staff or IRCTC staff. The incident was specific to coach no. B-11, where passengers experienced symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, and loose motions.
Treatment and Continuing the Journey: The train arrived at Pune Platform no. 2 at 11.27 pm on Tuesday and departed at 12.29 am. A dedicated team of doctors attended to affected passengers in coach no. B-11, treating a total of 99 patients for stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness, and loose motions.
Post-Treatment Status: All passengers received appropriate treatment, and their conditions normalized after medical intervention. Subsequently, the journey continued with passengers returning to their respective seats in the same train.
Investigation and Food Sampling: In the aftermath of the incident, samples of the contaminated food were collected for further investigation to determine the source and nature of the contamination.
Conclusion: The unfortunate incident emphasizes the significance of stringent food safety measures, prompting authorities to investigate the root cause and prevent future occurrences. The health and well-being of passengers remain a top priority for railway and IRCTC staff.