Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Indian Railways to Add Non-Veg Options to Vande Bharat Sleeper
The Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat sleeper train, which currently only serves vegetarian food, will soon offer non-vegetarian options.
This change is expected to happen in about a week.
The train, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, runs six days a week and serves local cuisines from West Bengal and Assam.
Passengers have been asking for non-vegetarian food, and railway officials have promised to add it soon.
Other premium trains already offer non-vegetarian options, and the railway minister has assured that this train will too.
The local cuisines of both regions include many non-vegetarian dishes, so this change will make the menu more representative of the areas the train serves.
Additionally, Indian Railways plans to manufacture a 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train with more passenger capacity and better onboard services, to be built by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai under the Make in India initiative.
The prototype of this new train is targeted to be rolled out by the end of 2026.
Non-vegetarian food options will be added to the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat sleeper train menu within a week.
The train currently serves only vegetarian food, which has been a point of contention for some passengers.
The train was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and operates six days a week.
The menu will feature local cuisines from West Bengal and Assam, both of which have a strong non-vegetarian tradition.
Indian Railways plans to manufacture a 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train with enhanced facilities, to be built by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, with a prototype targeted for the end of 2026.
- Who
- Eastern Railway (ER) officials, Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, Indian Railways
- What
- Introduction of non-vegetarian food options in the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat sleeper train and plans to manufacture a 24-coach Vande Bharat sleeper train
- When
- Expected within about a week for non-veg options, prototype target by the end of 2026
- Where
- Howrah-Kamakhya route, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai
- Why
- To cater to the predominantly non-vegetarian preferences of passengers from West Bengal and Assam and to accommodate more passengers with enhanced facilities
- Train Route
- Howrah to Kamakhya
- Current Food Options
- Vegetarian only
- Expected Change
- Non-vegetarian options in about a week
- Train Introduction Date
- January 17, 2024
- Operational Days
- Six days a week
- Cuisine Focus
- Assamese and West Bengal local cuisines
- Other Trains with Non-Veg Options
- Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Vande Bharat day trains
- Manufacturer
- Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai
- Prototype Target
- End of 2026
- Coach Capacity
- 24-coach
