India’s rail network has evolved rapidly, with premium trains like Vande Bharat promising faster travel and better comfort for daily passengers. Expectations rise further when fares are high. However, gaps between promise and delivery still surface, especially around onboard food quality.
A recent viral post on X has brought this issue into focus. Uday Chatterjee shared images comparing dinner trays served on India’s first Sleeper Vande Bharat running on the Howrah-Kamakhya route, triggering widespread discussion online.
The tray from the inaugural journey appeared well-presented and generous. It included rice, dal, paneer, roti, vegetables, curd, pickle, and a sweet, neatly arranged in a plastic thali that matched the premium image of the service.
In contrast, images from regular journeys looked far less appealing. Passengers reported overcooked rice, hard rotis, bland sabjis, missing dal or paneer, and smaller portions, which fell short of the promised Bengali-Assamese menu curated with IRCTC.
Some travellers also pointed to service issues onboard. Complaints mentioned confused staff and delayed meal distribution, which further diluted the premium experience expected from Vande Bharat sleeper services.
IRCTC has stated that food quality and quantity remain consistent across all runs and are supplied by a reputed caterer. Still, if passenger feedback and images reflect reality, maintaining post-launch standards becomes critical.
For a train charging premium fares, consistent food quality is not optional. Addressing these early concerns will be vital if Indian Railways wants Vande Bharat to live up to its promise beyond the inaugural run.
Dinner of India’s 1st Sleeper Vande Bharat
Inaugural Journey Regular Journey pic.twitter.com/IIJTa3tRpB
— Uday Chatterjee (@UdayChatterje) January 23, 2026
