In a significant shift aimed at elevating onboard food quality, Indian Railways has initiated a pilot project to involve foreign catering corporations in meal service on Vande Bharat semi-high-speed trains. The initiative marks the first time Indian Railways is considering international food service providers for its premium trains.
The pilot rollout has begun on the Nagpur–Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express, with French catering company ELIOR entrusted with handling tea and dinner services.
Expert Committee’s Recommendation Implemented
The move follows the recommendation of a committee formed by the Railway Board, which advised inducting international companies to bring global standards to Indian train catering. Officials stated that 10 global companies, including those from the U.S., Europe, and Asia, are being evaluated for broader deployment based on performance.
The initiative aims to modernize and diversify food offerings without increasing ticket prices or imposing any additional costs on passengers.
Food Quality Complaints Spark Policy Shift
Currently, over 90% of catering contracts on Indian Railways are handled by a single company. This monopolistic structure has frequently come under criticism from passengers for issues such as:
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Poor food quality
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Overpriced meals
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Limited variety
Repeated complaints have prompted the Railways to revamp its catering policy, paving the way for participation from both Indian and international brands to improve onboard dining experiences.
136 Vande Bharat Trains May See Wider Rollout
Railway officials have indicated that based on the results of the current trial, the foreign catering model could be expanded to all 136 Vande Bharat trains currently operational across India.
