3 min readJan 14, 2026 08:43 PM IST
First published on: Jan 14, 2026 at 08:22 PM IST
Howrah-Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper Express catering services: The Railway Board on Wednesday said that catering services will be provided as an integral part of services on the Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train service will operate between Howrah and Guwahati (Kamakhya). The new train is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between eastern and northeastern India and transform the experience of overnight rail travel.
In a letter dated January 14, 2026, to the Principal Chief Commercial Managers of all zonal railways, the Railway Board also said that for providing catering services on Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, the respective zonal railway will reimburse IRCTC at the rate of Rs 0.40 per passenger per kilometre (excluding GST).
“Catering services will be provided as an integral part of services within the fare notified in the fare table for all classes of services vide Commercial Circular referenced above. As such, catering charges will not be levied separately.
For making provision of catering services in Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, respective Zonal Railway shall reimburse @Rs.0.4/- per passenger per km (excluding GST) to IRCTC from the fare already notified. GST shall be applied as per extant instructions,” it said.
IRCTC to provide 1-litre Rail Neer, newspaper to all passengers
The Railway Board also said that IRCTC will provide a one-litre ‘Rail Neer’ packaged drinking water bottle and a newspaper to all passengers. “One lire ‘Rail Neer’ packaged drinking water bottle and newspaper will be provided to all passengers irrespective of journey time by IRCTC within the same reimbursement charges. No separate reimbursement on this account shall be made,” it said.
Catering services on Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper train
According to the Railway Board, IRCTC will provide catering services to all passengers of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, based on the journey duration between each origin–destination (O–D) pair of stations.
“IRCTC shall decide the requirement of services (i.e. Lunch, Dinner, Morning tea, & Evening tea) to passengers between each O-D pair of stations and fix the menu of each service accordingly within the above mentioned reimbursement charge,” the RB said in its letter.
It also instructed zonal railways that IRCTC should notify details of the catering services provided to passengers of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express for the information of both passengers and the Railways.
Catering included in fare for all classes on Vande Bharat Sleeper, says Railway Board (Image generated using AI) 
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