Kolkata: The Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat train has now started serving non-vegetarian meals, featuring Bengali and Assamese-style chicken curry. This move comes after political debates arose over the train initially offering only vegetarian menus. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the introduction of non-veg meals on Sunday.
Details of the Menu
Passengers can now enjoy a chicken dish in place of paneer masala in the vegetarian menu. The full meal includes cumin corn pulao, Tehar paratha, mixed arhar-mung dal, Assamese-style beans, and dessert featuring traditional rasgulla. Currently, chicken is the only non-veg option available.
Implementation Across the Route
The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) confirmed that based on passenger feedback, the non-veg option will replace the vegetarian dish on train 27575/76. This facility has been implemented in both directions—from Kamakhya and Howrah—since 1 February 2026. All other menu items remain vegetarian, ensuring consistency and smooth service across the route.
Background
The Kamakhya–Howrah Vande Bharat train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 January 2026. Regular operations began on 22 January from Kamakhya and the following day from Howrah. Soon after, a segment of passengers raised concerns over the train offering only vegetarian meals.
The political party TMC accused the BJP of “policing plates,” while Bengal BJP clarified that the railway decides the menu. Following discussions with Railway Minister Vaishnaw, central minister Sukanta Mazumdar advocated for non-veg meals reflecting local culinary preferences.
Local Flavors on Board
The train now offers passengers authentic regional flavors: Assamese-style dishes from Kamakhya and Bengali-style dishes from Howrah. Both cuisines traditionally emphasize fish and meat, ensuring the culinary experience aligns with local tastes along the route.
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