At least 24 passengers of the Goa-Mumbai Tejas Express on Sunday fell ill after consuming food served by on-board pantry car operator and were admitted to hospital, officials said. The IRCTC has launched an investigation.

A Central Railway official, who didn't want to be named, told : "The passengers complained of uneasiness and nausea around 12.10 p.m. after eating the breakfast served to them.

"The train was stopped at Chiplon railway station around 3.15 p.m. and the passengers who complained were deboarded." 

The catering of Tejas Express is managed by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The train was on its way from Goa's Karmali to Mumbai's Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus.

"The Konkan Railway officials had arranged first aid and ambulances for the passengers. And the passengers were taken to government and private hospital," he said.

In response to the food quality complaint, the IRCTC in a series of tweets said: "Food samples have been taken for investigation. A total of 230 breakfast (117 Vegetarian + 113 Non Vegetarian) have been served."

"Director Catering services is proceeding to Mumbai to follow up the matter. Follow of action and monitoring is being done to ensure proper assistance." 

Meanwhile, IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director M.P. Mall told : "The food was supplied from Madgaon (Goa) base kitchen under our supervision and nothing abnormal was reported. But everything is being investigated."

He also said that the IRCTC has collected the raw material from the kitchen.

Mall said that the passengers were provided breakfast along with Knorr soup. 

"We are investigating the entire matter," he said, adding that he has spoken to passngers admitted in hospitals.

"The passengers admitted in hospital are out of danger," the IRCTC official added.

The country's first high-speed Tejas Express boasting of Wi-Fi, LCD screens, and automatic doors, was flagged off on May 22.