Vande Bharat's Chicken U-Turn: Was the Vegetarian-Only Menu a Deliberate Betrayal?

The "Welcome" Plate: Chicken Joins the Vande Bharat Sleeper Party, But Was It Always This Way?

It’s a classic tale, isn't it? A shiny new service launches, touted as a leap forward in travel. Then, almost immediately, the whispers start. Why this? Why not that? For the recently unveiled Vande Bharat Sleeper trains, particularly the Howrah-Kamakhya route, the initial "this" was a strictly vegetarian menu. Now, less than a month after its operational debut, IRCTC has conveniently revised it to include non-vegetarian options, specifically chicken. Is this a genuine response to passenger needs, or a reactive maneuver after facing public and political heat? This journalistic inquiry delves into the rapid menu overhaul, questioning the initial exclusion and the timing of this "inclusive" decision.

The Vegetarian Silence: A Premeditated Omission or an Oversight?

The Vande Bharat Sleeper, envisioned as a premium overnight travel experience, first rolled out on the Howrah-Kamakhya route with a menu that catered exclusively to vegetarians. This decision, made prior to the train's launch, has now become the focal point of scrutiny.

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• Initial Menu Design: Reports indicate the original menu was curated with local vegetarian favorites, like "basanti pulao and sandesh," but notably excluded any meat or fish dishes.

• Passenger Expectations vs. Reality: For regions where non-vegetarian cuisine is a significant part of daily life and culinary identity, such as Bengal and Assam, this exclusion was met with surprise and, subsequently, criticism. Was this oversight unintentional, or was there a calculated reason to present a vegetarian-only offering at the outset?

• The Political Undercurrent: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) wasted no time in highlighting this perceived oversight, directly criticizing the BJP-led central government. They pointed out the irony of a train connecting regions with strong non-vegetarian culinary traditions offering only vegetarian fare. This suggests the menu wasn't just a matter of dietary preference but also became a political talking point.

The Menu Revisions: A Quick Pivot Under Pressure?

The speed at which IRCTC has revised the Vande Bharat Sleeper's food menu raises more questions than it answers. Within weeks of its launch, the promise of non-vegetarian options, specifically chicken, materialized.

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• The "Soon" Promise: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had indicated that non-vegetarian options would be introduced "soon." This statement, made around February 1st, appears to have been followed by swift action.

• The Revised Offerings: The new menu now allows passengers to select between vegetarian options like paneer masala and non-vegetarian chicken dishes. These chicken dishes are described as 50-60 grams of boneless chicken in 70 grams of gravy, prepared in Bengali or Assamese style.

• Timing of the Change: The critical question is: Why wasn't this inclusive menu part of the initial offering? Was the train launched with an incomplete food plan, or was the initial vegetarian-only menu a deliberate tactic, knowing a later "revision" would be perceived as a responsive measure?

"Vande Bharat Sleeper now serves chicken meals: Here's why. After launching with only vegetarian food, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express (Howrah-Kamakhya route) now offers chicken-based non-vegetarian meals. The change comes after political leaders and passengers called out the absence of non-vegetarian options on board." (Newsbytesapp)

A Closer Look at the "Inclusive" Plate: What Exactly is Being Served?

The specific details of the revised menu offer a glimpse into IRCTC's approach to catering on this premium service. While the addition of chicken is a significant change, understanding the broader meal context is crucial.

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• Consistency of Sides: Notably, the accompanying dishes – including the paratha, pulao varieties, dal, beans, and dessert – remain consistent across both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal choices. This suggests a streamlining of preparation, but does it dilute the overall "special" experience?

• Regional Flavors: The mention of Bengali or Assamese style for the chicken gravy indicates an attempt to incorporate regional tastes. However, were these regional influences not considered when designing the initial vegetarian menu?

• Portion Size: The specific mention of chicken quantity (50-60 grams) raises questions about value for money and the overall satisfaction for a passenger opting for a non-vegetarian meal on an overnight journey.

The Bigger Picture: IRCTC's Catering Evolution and Vande Bharat's Identity

This Vande Bharat Sleeper menu controversy is not an isolated incident but part of a broader narrative concerning IRCTC's catering policies and the evolving identity of premium train services in India.

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• Past Practices: It's worth remembering that IRCTC has historically offered both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals on various long-distance trains. Why the departure for the Vande Bharat Sleeper, a supposedly flagship service?

• "Opt-in" vs. "Opt-out": While meal preferences can be selected during ticket booking for Vande Bharat trains (as indicated by general meal policies), the initial lack of a non-veg option to select from is the crux of the issue.

• Future Implications: IRCTC has stated that such facilities will be "implemented in phases in other trains in the future." This suggests a potential nationwide shift. But what lessons should be learned from the Howrah-Kamakhya experience to ensure proactive inclusivity rather than reactive adjustments?

"According to IRCTC, passengers travelling on train number 27576, the Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper, will be served Jeera rice, Jeera corn pulao or Kismish pulao along with Tehdar Paratha." (Indian Express)

Unanswered Questions and What Lies Ahead

The swift menu revision on the Vande Bharat Sleeper train leaves a lingering sense of unease. While the inclusion of non-vegetarian food is a welcome development for many, the circumstances surrounding this change warrant critical examination.

• Was the initial vegetarian-only menu a deliberate strategy to gauge public reaction, or a genuine misstep?

• To what extent did political pressure, rather than passenger demand alone, drive this rapid menu overhaul?

• Will future Vande Bharat Sleeper routes also face similar "menu controversies" and subsequent revisions, or will inclusivity be baked in from the start?

• How does IRCTC ensure consistent quality and adherence to regional culinary expectations across all its services, especially on premium trains?

The Vande Bharat Sleeper's journey from a vegetarian-exclusive offering to one with a chicken option is a microcosm of larger debates around inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and effective public service delivery in India's burgeoning railway network. The onus is now on IRCTC to demonstrate that future service introductions will be more thoughtfully planned, anticipating the diverse needs and expectations of all passengers, not just those who raise their voices the loudest or hold the most political clout.

Sources:

1. IRCTC releases revised food menu for Vande Bharat Sleeper train; check full veg, non-veg meal options - The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/irctc-releases-revised-veg-non-veg-food-menu-meals-options-vande-bharat-sleeper-train-10518957/

2. IRCTC Update: Sleeper Coach Passengers Can Now Opt For Non-Veg Food On Vande Bharat; What's On The Menu? - The Daily Jagran: https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/irctc-update-sleeper-coach-passengers-can-now-opt-for-non-veg-food-on-vande-bharat-whats-on-the-menu-10296733

3. Vande Bharat sleeper now serves chicken meals: Here's why - Newsbytesapp: https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/vande-bharat-sleeper-now-serves-chicken-meals-heres-why/tldr

4. हावड़ा–कामाख्या वंदे भारत स्लीपर में अब मांसाहार भी, IRCTC ने यात्रियों को दिया नया फूड ऑप्शन - Jagran: https://www.jagran.com/delhi/new-delhi-city-vande-bharat-sleeper-express-nonveg-food-option-now-available-40133630.html

5. Vande Bharat Sleeper Launch: Explore the Railway Food Menu 2026 | RailRestro Blog - Food in Train - RailRestro: https://www.railrestro.com/blog/vande-bharat-sleeper-launch-explore-the-railway-food-menu (Note: Published date Jan 21, 2026 seems to be a typo, likely referring to a future projection or a misinterpretation of article context, as other sources indicate recent events.)

6. Vande Bharat Sleeper train food menu revised; passengers can choose non-veg option during ticket booking - The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vande-bharat-sleeper-train-irctc-food-menu-revised-passengers-choose-non-veg-option-ticket-booking-10513019/

7. IRCTC to Serve Breakfast and Lunch on Vande Bharat Train, Including Non-Vegetarian Options for Passengers - HelloRail: https://hellorail.in/vande-bharat/irctc-to-serve-breakfast-and-lunch-on-vande-bharat-train-including-non-vegetarian-options-for-passengers/ (Note: Published date Sep 26, 2025 seems to be a typo, as other sources indicate recent events.)

8. Vande Bharat Meal Policy: Opt-In vs Opt-Out and Price Update - Vande Bharat Express: https://vandebharatexpress.co.in/vande-bharat-meal-policy/ (Note: Published date Oct 10, 2025 seems to be a typo, as other sources indicate recent events.)