Train journeys in India may soon offer a significantly upgraded dining experience, with passengers enjoying meals prepared by well-known food brands and professional kitchens. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has begun testing a revamped on-board catering model on select trains, aimed at improving food quality, hygiene and overall passenger satisfaction.
The initiative is being implemented as a Proof of Concept (PoC), under which meal preparation has been separated from on-board service — a major shift from the existing catering system.
New model focuses on quality and hygiene
Under the new approach, IRCTC has allowed established food and beverage players, including industrial kitchens, restaurant chains and airline caterers, to prepare meals for train passengers. On-board staff will focus solely on serving the food.
According to IRCTC, the objective is to “provide fresh, hygienic meals for service to the passengers” and bring about “perceptible improvements in on-board catering services”.
IRCTC currently caters to around 16.50 lakh meals every day across the Indian Railways network. Officials believe the revised system could mark a “paradigm shift” in how meals are produced and delivered on trains.
Trials on premium train services
The trials are underway across multiple railway zones, primarily on newly introduced Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains.
As part of the PoC, specific trains have been paired with different catering partners. The Nagpur–Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express is being serviced by Haldiram’s (Nagpur) and Elior (Secunderabad). The Delhi–Sitamarhi Amrit Bharat Express has meals supplied by Touch Stone Foundation, Delhi.
Casino Air Caterers & Flight Services (CAFS) has been engaged for the Kasargod–Thiruvananthapuram service as well as the Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express — a route of particular interest to Karnataka passengers.
Restaurant-style menus and local flavours
IRCTC said the trials are designed to closely assess every stage of the catering supply chain, including kitchen infrastructure, meal production, transportation and on-board service.
“These meal trials also provide passengers with a diverse, restaurant-quality menu including local delicacies, aimed at improving satisfaction levels during travel,” the corporation said in an official release.
Initial passenger feedback from the trains covered under the PoC has reportedly been positive, with travellers appreciating improved taste, presentation and consistency.
Expansion likely after review
IRCTC said the outcomes of the trials will be reviewed in detail before taking a decision on expanding the new catering model to more trains across the country.
If successful, the initiative could significantly enhance the travel experience on premium and long-distance services, aligning Indian Railways’ catering standards closer to airline-style food service.