Inaugural vs Commercial Food on Vande Bharat Sleeper: Passenger Flags Quality | IRCTC Responds

Days after India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train was launched, it has come under scrutiny after passengers shared concerns over the quality and quantity of food served onboard. One of the passengers took on X, showing the kind of food served on the inaugural journey and compared it with a regular journey. Earlier this month, the Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper Express was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 17. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Class train operates on the Kamakhya Junction–Howrah Junction route, expanding the Vande Bharat network beyond short and medium-distance travel. The train commenced its commercial operations on January 22. After the successful rollout of Vande Bharat Express trains in chair car configuration,

the sleeper version is expected to offer enhanced comfort for overnight and long-haul journeys.The X user shared a post with two images and wrote, "Dinner of India's 1st Sleeper Vande Bharat Inaugural Journey and Regular Journey". The picture showed a stark difference between the quality of food being shared in Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains.

Check Picture Here

Dinner of India's 1st Sleeper Vande Bharat Inaugural Journey Regular Journey pic.twitter.com/IIJTa3tRpB

— Uday Chatterjee (@UdayChatterje) January 23, 2026

Netizens Share Similar Experiences

Netizens commented on the post, sharing similar experiences they had. One of the users wrote, "Have been in Vande Bharat, Tejas and Shatabdi.. Food tastes like shit in all of them. At least give the option to opt out." Another user tagged Ashwini Vaishnaw and said, "If you want to fix one thing in Vande Bharat. First, fix the food. Else don’t provide it. Horrible breakfasts! Can’t you replace the pathetic milk whitener and powdered teas as well??"Also Read: Automatic Doors, Private Coupes: How Vande Bharat Sleeper Offers Premium Rail Travel To Passengers | WATCH

IRCTC Reacts, Dismisses Claims

However, IRCTC dismissed the allegations, and while reacting to the post, said that there is no difference in the food quantity and quality.

The quantity and quality of food served during the inaugural and commercial runs are the same.Passengers served a meal with dal, rice/pulao, vegetable/paneer gravy, dry veggies, chapati/parantha, and sweets, as per the Cyclic Menu. A reputed catering chain serves local… https://t.co/pjRbu2Y2LP

— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) January 25, 2026

The IRCTC responded to the post and wrote, "The quantity and quality of food served during the inaugural and commercial runs are the same. Passengers served a meal with dal, rice/pulao, vegetable/paneer gravy, dry veggies, chapati/parantha, and sweets, as per the Cyclic Menu."It further added, "A reputed catering chain serves local cuisine-focused meals."