IRCTC’s new meal policy for Vande Bharat: 5 things passengers should know

In a recent update, passengers onboard Vande Bharat trains can now buy food, even if they did not pre-book their meals before. Previously, IRCTC only provided food to passengers who selected a meal option during booking. This new rule gives more flexibility, ensuring all passengers have access to food during their journey, regardless of their initial meal choice.

Here are five things passengers should know:

Choice of meals: The passengers who did not opt for a meal during booking can now enjoy a variety of meal options. These include cooked meals, if available, in addition to the Ready to Eat (RTE) meals that were previously offered. This change is aimed at improving the overall catering services for passengers during the journey.
Improved services: One of the prime reasons for this change is to address complaints from passengers who were denied food service simply because they hadn’t selected a meal at the time of booking. Passengers often faced situations where they wanted to buy food on the train but were told it wasn’t available to them. The Railway Board’s new rule aims to resolve these issues and offer food to all passengers, as long as they are willing to pay for it.

Strict timings: To ensure smooth service and avoid any confusion, IRCTC will be operating food sales within regulated timings. Meals will be sold through trolleys, but no food will be sold after 9 pm or after dinner service, whichever comes first. This is to maintain a proper dining schedule and ensure passengers are not disturbed late at night.

Food quality: The Railway Board has stressed the importance of providing high-quality, hygienic food to all passengers. IRCTC is required to take necessary steps to maintain food safety standards and ensure the meals are prepared and served in a hygienic manner.

This move is part of a broader effort to enhance the catering experience and passenger satisfaction on Vande Bharat trains. So now you're travelling on a Vande Bharat train and forgot to pre-book your meal, there's no need to worry anymore. Thanks to this new policy by IRCTC which aims to offer extra comfort to travellers.