Last Updated: November 29, 2023, 18:19 IST
Pune (Poona) [Poona], India
The train arrived at Pune station at 11:36 pm on Tuesday. (X File for representation)
The train, bound for Palitana in Gujarat, took an emergency stop at the Pune railway station after multiple passengers complained of vomiting and diarrhoea
At least 90 passengers aboard the Bharat Gaurav Yatra Special package train travelling from Chennai to Palitana in Gujarat suffered from food poisoning after consuming dinner provided by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) catering contractor, railway officials said on Wednesday.
The train, bound for Palitana in Gujarat, took an emergency stop at the Pune railway station after multiple passengers complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. The train arrived at Pune station at 11:36 pm on Tuesday. A team of doctors attended all the patients and provided them with the necessary treatment.
According to an Indian Express report, Pune Divisional Railway Manager Indu Rani Dubey said the Pune division was informed that some passengers of the Bharat Gaurav train reported symptoms of food poisoning.
“Accordingly, our medical team, as well as those from Ruby Hall Clinic, where we have an emergency medical room, reached the station. When the train arrived, people who had suffered diarrhoea and vomiting and showed any other symptoms were attended to. They were given medical attention. The bathrooms of the train were cleaned. The train later departed with the instruction that the passengers be checked upon at the Kalyan railway station,” Dubey was quoted by Indian Express as saying.
Ruby Hall Clinic Railway Hospital and Sassoon General Hospital members examined a total of 99 patients and said all patients were clinically stable. They were treated with ORS solution antiemetic, antacid, antispasmodic and antibiotics.
The train left for its journey after 50 minutes. “Around 80 to 90 passengers from a coach complained of food poisoning between Solapur and Pune. They complained of nausea, loose motions and headache,” an official was quoted by PTI as saying.
“At Pune station, a team of doctors attended to all the passengers and provided them treatment on board. The train departed after 50 minutes. The condition of all the passengers was stable,” he added.
Quoting sources in the Ministry of Railways, an ANI report said action will be taken against the private contractor that catered the food service on the train.
“Passengers had food through their private source. These food items were not supplied by Railway staff. All passengers were given treatment and are in normal condition after treatment. No hospitalization was required, they all continued their journey further on the same train,” a statement by the Central Railway CPRO said.
Samples of food were taken for testing and an investigation into the incident is underway.