- India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train runs overnight between Howrah and Kamakhya
- Onboard menu features Bengali and Assamese vegetarian dishes using seasonal ingredients
- Traditional sweets like sandesh and rasgulla complete the regional culinary experience
India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train, launched on the Howrah-Kamakhya route, is drawing attention not only for its overnight travel experience but also for its newly introduced onboard menu. The service, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, features a food line-up inspired by the flavours of Bengal and Assam. The menu has been curated by Mayfair Spring Valley Resort in Guwahati in collaboration with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
With a focus on regional identity, seasonal ingredients and vegetarian dishes, the food menu aims to give travellers a taste of Eastern and Northeastern India as they journey overnight.
A Taste Of Bengal Onboard
Passengers can expect familiar Bengali dishes such as basanti pulao, cholar dal, moong dal, chanar and dhokar preparations. The dishes are slow-cooked, mildly-spiced and prepared to remain comforting and suitable for a long-distance sleeper journey.
Assamese Dishes Reflecting Local Traditions
Representing the culinary traditions of Assam, the menu includes joha rice, mati mohor, masoor dali and seasonal vegetable bhajis. The focus remains on gentle flavours and local produce, making the meals easy to enjoy while travelling.
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For Those With A Sweet Tooth
Traditional sweets round off the menu, with sandesh, narikol burfi and rasgulla offering a taste of well-loved dessert traditions from both Bengal and Assam.
Crafting A Sense Of Place Through Food
Ratan Sharma, Managing Director of Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, said the onboard food experience is designed to go beyond basic catering. He explained that the dishes were curated to showcase authentic regional flavours and culinary heritage while meeting modern dining expectations. According to him, the goal is to make every meal a memorable highlight of the journey, offering comfort and a sense of the distinct food culture of Northeast India.
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About The Vande Bharat Sleeper Service
The Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper is India's first overnight Vande Bharat service, covering nearly 1,000 km. The fully air-conditioned train features 16 sleeper coaches, comprising First AC, AC 2-tier, and AC 3-tier classes, which accommodate approximately 823 passengers. Features include ergonomic berths, automatic doors, advanced suspension, noise-reduction systems and the Kavach anti-collision technology.
Running at a scheduled speed of up to 130 km/h, the service aims to strengthen connectivity between Eastern India and the Northeast while offering passengers a more comfortable and reliable overnight travel option.
