Vande Bharat Sleeper to Soon Offer Non-Veg Menu on West Bengal and Assam Routes After Passengers Feedback

Passengers travelling on India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Howrah and Kamakhya will soon have non-vegetarian food choices on board. Eastern Railway officials have confirmed that non-veg dishes are likely to be added to the catering menu within the next week.

The move comes after several travellers questioned why only vegetarian meals were being served on the overnight service, even though the train connects West Bengal and Assam-two regions where fish and meat are central to everyday cuisine. The train operates six days a week and has seen strong passenger response since its launch.

An Eastern Railway official told PTI that the menu is being revised to better match passenger preferences and regional food habits. The aim, the official said, is to ensure a more inclusive dining experience for long-distance travellers.

The Vande Bharat sleeper service was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17 and began regular commercial operations from Kamakhya station in Guwahati on January 22. The return services from Howrah started a day later.

Railway authorities have reiterated that onboard catering is designed to reflect local flavours. Assamese dishes are served on departures from Kamakhya, while trains originating from Howrah feature West Bengal-inspired cuisine. Both culinary traditions are widely known for their non-vegetarian offerings.

Non-vegetarian meals are already part of the menu on other premium train services, including the Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express and Vande Bharat day trains.