Now, if you are traveling on the Vande Bharat Express and have not opted for a meal, you will still be able to buy freshly cooked food onboard by paying the applicable charges.
The Railway Board, in a circular addressed to IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) Chairman and Managing Director, said, “To enhance passenger convenience and ensure adequate catering services, the sale of food items on Vande Bharat trains may be resumed by IRCTC for current booking and non-optee passengers.”
Earlier, non-optee passengers (those who opted out of meal services while booking) were only offered ready-to-eat options post-pandemic. However, even though this policy has now changed for Vande Bharat trains, it remains unchanged for other mail and express trains.
The Railway Ministry stated that resuming the sale of cooked meals will provide better service choices and convenience for both current booking and non-optee passengers. The pricing for these meals will remain the same as for optee passengers.
Railway officials noted that since the resumption of food services in 2021, non-optee passengers were limited to ready-to-eat meals such as instant noodles, poha, and chips. However, growing demand for cooked meals led to this revision in catering rules. Additionally, optee passengers sometimes request extra meals, which will also be accommodated under this new provision.
The Railway Board has also directed IRCTC to ensure the availability of hygienic, high-quality food and maintain regulated service timings. Meanwhile, food sales will be conducted through trolleys, with vending prohibited after 9:00 PM or after dinner service, whichever comes first.