IRCTC Suspends Vande Bharat Crew After High-Voltage Fight at Delhi’s Nizamuddin Station — ₹10 Lakh Fine Imposed on Contractor
IRCTC has suspended the entire Vande Bharat Express staff and imposed a ₹10 lakh fine on the service contractor after a high-voltage fight broke out at Delhi’s Nizamuddin Railway Station
A shocking scene unfolded at Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station when a violent brawl broke out among the catering staff members of a Vande Bharat Express train. The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) reacted promptly after the video surfaced. In a statement, the corporation confirmed that the service provider staff involved in the altercation had been detained by the Railway Police Force (RPF). IRCTC also stated that “punitive action” had been initiated against the concerned service provider to prevent such incidents in the future.
The 30-second viral clip shared on X (formerly Twitter), shows several men throwing dustbins, swinging belts and punching each other while others try to stop the fight. The chaos unfolded right on the busy platform, leaving commuters and onlookers shocked.
In a post on X, IRCTC wrote, “The matter has been viewed very seriously. Four staff of service provider have been detained by RPF authorities for further investigation. All four staff’s ID cards have been deactivated and they have been derostered. A show cause notice for termination of contract has been issued to service provider and a hefty penalty of Rs 5 lakh has been imposed”.
According to Delhi Police, the clash reportedly began with a verbal spat between pantry assistants over something as trivial as placing a water box inside the train.
“An incident of fight took place between pantry assistants in the Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express. A verbal argument escalated into a physical altercation. However, no formal complaint was made by any party, and the matter was mutually resolved in writing,” India Today reported, quoting a Delhi police official.
Even though no formal complaint was filed by either side, Delhi Police took suo motu action after the video gained traction online. According to multiple media reports, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway to determine responsibility for the altercation.
Reports suggest the incident involved IRCTC staff assigned to a Vande Bharat train headed for Gwalior. The fight allegedly took place just before the train’s departure, leaving passengers bewildered by the sudden burst of violence among railway employees.
Reports suggest the incident involved IRCTC staff assigned to a Vande Bharat train headed for Gwalior. The fight allegedly took place just before the train’s departure, leaving passengers bewildered by the sudden burst of violence among railway employees.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has suspended the staff of a Vande Bharat Express train and imposed a ₹10 lakh fine on the contractor following a violent altercation at Delhi’s Nizamuddin Railway Station. The incident, which unfolded earlier this week, has sparked widespread public attention after videos of the heated clash between crew members went viral on social media.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fight erupted between two teams of Vande Bharat staff during routine operational duties at the station. According to officials, the argument quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, creating chaos on the platform and alarming passengers waiting to board the high-speed train.
Viral videos show staff members exchanging punches and shoving each other, forcing station authorities to intervene. No passengers were reported injured in the altercation, but the incident raised serious concerns about railway staff discipline and passenger safety on premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express.
In response to the incident, IRCTC launched an immediate internal inquiry and took decisive action against the employees involved. All staff present during the altercation have been suspended pending further investigation. Additionally, the contractor responsible for supplying and managing the train crew has been fined ₹10 lakh, reflecting the severity of the breach of discipline and operational protocols.
A senior IRCTC official said, “Such behavior is unacceptable on trains that carry thousands of passengers daily. The Vande Bharat Express represents the face of India’s modern rail infrastructure, and we will ensure that service standards and discipline are maintained at all times.”
The suspension of staff has temporarily affected services on the train route, with additional personnel being deployed to maintain normal operations. The Vande Bharat Express, known for its high-speed travel of up to 160 kmph, is a flagship project of Indian Railways aimed at providing world-class comfort, safety, and efficiency.
Experts note that incidents like this, though rare, can impact the reputation of premium services and undermine passenger confidence. “The IRCTC’s prompt action sends a strong message that indiscipline will not be tolerated, especially on high-profile trains like Vande Bharat,” said a transport analyst based in Delhi.
The fight quickly became a trending topic on social media, with netizens expressing shock and outrage at the incident. Many highlighted the irony of a high-speed, modern train being marred by such unprofessional conduct. Several passenger advocacy groups have called for stricter monitoring of train staff behavior and enhanced conflict resolution training for personnel.
News agencies reported that the IRCTC has also initiated a review of its staff management and deployment policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. Training programs focusing on teamwork, conflict management, and customer service are expected to be reinforced across all premium train services.
