Video: Woman Cooks Maggi in Train Using Electric Kettle, Sparks Internet Debate on Safety & ‘Jugaad’ Culture

A simple packet of Maggi has once again stirred a national debate, this time inside an Indian Railways coach. A woman cooking noodles in an electric kettle plugged into the train’s charging socket has triggered sharp reactions online, bringing safety concerns and civic sense back into the spotlight.

A ‘Travel Hack’ That Went Too Far

The viral clip, shot by a co-passenger, shows the woman casually boiling Maggi in a kettle placed on the foldable side table. Steam rises, noodles bubble, and Maggi packets lie scattered beside her. She even urges the person recording to “share it widely” so others can try the hack.

But what she saw as convenience, the Internet saw as a serious risk.

Internet Outrage: ‘Money Can’t Buy Civic Sense’

The video spread quickly on X, with the caption warning that the act posed a major safety hazard. The user wrote, "This is a major safety hazard and can cause fire, endangering the lives of all onboard. That’s why we cannot have good things. Many will misuse the facilities and then be proud of it. Most lack civil sense."

Comments poured in, many expressing frustration over the misuse of public facilities.

One user wrote, “The problem is these people think that they can do whatever they wish since they have paid for the ticket. Money cannot buy you class and civic sense. You will find many such characters in 3 AC now.”

Another pointed out the technical issue: “A 220V appliance is put into a 110V. Anytime an accident is possible.”

Others called out the larger mindset: “Give one facility to us Indians and we will find 987 ways to ruin it. Others’ safety, inconvenience, disturbance, and courtesy are superstitions for most of us.”

Some went as far as demanding legal action: “Such people should be fined heavily. What if tomorrow some idiots bring induction and start cooking?”

A Few Voices Defend the Act

Amid the criticism, a handful of users questioned whether the kettle truly posed a danger.
“How is an electric kettle a fire hazard? If power exceeds the connection rating, there should be a tripping mechanism to manage?” one argued.

Another added, “No, it is not a safety hazard. It is an electric heater which pulls in more current. Beyond that, there are no issues.”

But these opinions were clearly in the minority.

Why Railways Restrict Such Appliances

Indian Railways coaches use 110V sockets, meant only for low-power gadgets like phones and laptops. Household appliances, including kettles, typically need 220-240V, drawing more current than the system can handle.

This mismatch can:

• overload the wiring,
• cause sparks or short circuits,
• trip the MCB, or
• in extreme cases, trigger a fire.

It’s the exact reason why warning stickers explicitly state: “No heating appliances permitted.”

The incident isn’t just about instant noodles. It highlights India’s ongoing struggle with balancing convenience and safety, especially in shared public spaces. While creativity and jugaad often make life easier, misusing infrastructure can endanger not just one person but everyone on board.