Rats jumped over food and equipment inside a food pantry on a train.

The rodents were filmed by a passenger on the train between Mumbai and Goa in India.

One appeared to be feasting on food from a deep metal bowl near a cooker, before it was joined by a second rat, inside the Madgaon Express on October 14.

A local source said: "Commuters and railway authorities are now working together to combat this rodent problem before it escalates further, jeopardizing the quality of onboard meals and the overall passenger experience.

"The video has thrown up the question of hygiene and safety of passengers who rely on on-board train catering services during a journey."

A local source said the agency which handles catering has blamed the railway officials, alleging the yard where the train is park is infected with rats.

The train was stationed in the yard at the time, prior to departure, sources said.

Central Railway's chief public relations officer Shivraj Manaspure confirmed the video is genuine, but said rodent control measures are regularly taken in coaches and the railway yard.

Rat poison tablets are placed in the yard beside mechanical traps and glue boards, he said.