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Vande Bharat Sleeper train food menu revised; passengers can choose non-veg option during ticket booking

IRCTC Food Menu: On Sunday, February 1, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that non-vegetarian meal option will soon be introduced on the Vande Bharat Sleeper train.

3 min readFeb 4, 2026 02:28 PM IST

“Now relish Non-Veg. meal option on Train No: 27575/27576 Howrah-Kamakhya & Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express,” says IRCTC. (Image generated using AI)

Vande Bharat Sleeper train food menu: Within a month of its launch, IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) has revised the food menu options on the Vande Bharat Sleeper train. Now, the passengers travelling on the Howrah–Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper train can choose between veg and non-veg meal options during ticket booking.

On Sunday, February 1, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that non-vegetarian meal option will soon be introduced on the Vande Bharat Sleeper train. Earlier, according to the menu released by the IRCTC, non-veg options including fish and meat were not available for travellers.

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IRCTC introduces non-veg meal option on Vande Bharat Sleeper train

In a statement, the IRCTC said: “Drawing inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of Northeast India and Bengal, the onboard menu on this train features authentic regional flavors and the passengers are being served traditional Assamese preparations alongside popular Bengali dishes.

Building on these delights, travellers can now also enjoy chicken-based non-vegetarian meals. This addition has been warmly received by passengers in the region, offering a true culinary delight to their journey.

This enhanced meal experience elevates passenger satisfaction while promoting region-specific culinary heritage in an inclusive way. By offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian regional delicacies, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is setting a new benchmark in onboard hospitality.”

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Vande Bharat Sleeper food menu row

Last month, following the start of commercial operations of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) slammed the BJP-led central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the introduction of a vegetarian-only food menu on the newly launched train.

Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ruling party in West Bengal said the Vande Bharat Sleeper train connecting Bengal and Assam regions where non-vegetarian food is widely consumed, has been offered only vegetarian options.

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Also Read | ‘First votes, now food’: TMC slams Centre over veg-only menu on Vande Bharat sleeper train

Vande Bharat Sleeper train launch date

Flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17, the semi-high-speed train has seen strong demand, with tickets selling out within hours of booking opening. The Howrah-Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express comprises 16 coaches, with three classes of travel: Third AC, Second AC and First AC.

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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