Central Railway Tracks Down Woman Behind Viral Maggi-on-Train Video; She Issues Apology
A seemingly light-hearted video showing a woman casually whipping up Maggi noodles inside a moving express train has sparked a social media storm. The clip featured her using an electric kettle connected to a coach power socket, an act that many netizens slammed as careless and unsafe.
As outrage grew, Central Railway confirmed that action was already in motion against both the woman and the page that circulated the footage. A week later, officials located the woman featured in the viral video. The individual has been identified as Sarita Lingayat from Chinchwad, Pune.
She now faces a case under Section 154 of the Railways Act, a provision meant to protect passengers from potentially hazardous behaviour. Her Instagram profile soon carried an apology video addressing the incident and the concerns raised online.
In the video, Sarita narrated that the episode happened during her journey from Haridwar to Pune. She said the children in the compartment were curious whether Maggi could be cooked in the kettle, which prompted her to try it. The same kettle was also used to boil water and make tea, as she and some older passengers were observing Ekadashi fasting. With the train running 6-7 hours behind schedule, she prepared a small amount of tea for everyone sharing the compartment.
Sarita expressed regret, saying she did not realise the safety implications and insisted that she meant no harm. She urged others not to repeat her mistake, stating: "Don't cook Maggi or use heavy electricals in trains. It's an offence and dangerous for life in the train. Thanks to RPF Mumbai for making me aware of my mistake, and I appeal to everyone not to make such a mistake."
The incident occurred on October 16 in the B2 coach of the 07364 Haridwar-Pune train. In the widely shared clip, Sarita is seen joking that "the kitchen is on anywhere and everywhere," adding humorously that she never "get[s] a holiday even on a holiday trip."
Using electronic kettles inside trains is strictly prohibited, and action is being initiated against the channel and the person concerned. Central Railway has warned that it is unsafe, illegal, and a punishable offence, which can lead to a fire incidence and be disastrous for other passengers also.
