Indian Railways and IRCTC have introduced a rule to help passengers facing delays on Vande Bharat trains. If a train is late by more than two hours, passengers will be provided with complimentary food. This move aims to improve the travel experience on these premium trains.
What are the rules for free meals on Vande Bharat
According to the update reported on June 13, 2026, passengers will receive free rice, dal, and pickle if the train is delayed by over two hours. This facility is available for those passengers who had already opted for meals during their ticket booking process. Railway officials confirmed that this catering policy also applies to other premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto.
Other important updates for Vande Bharat passengers
Apart from the delay compensation, there are other changes regarding food and tickets. Passengers can now buy food onboard even if they did not select a meal while booking. Additionally, the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains on the Howrah-Kamakhya route now offer a wider menu including fish, egg, and chicken options alongside vegetarian food.
New rules for ticket cancellation and booking
The Railway Ministry has implemented stricter rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat II trains. If a confirmed ticket is cancelled less than eight hours before departure, no refund will be given. On the technology side, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Passenger Reservation System is being upgraded to handle 1.5 lakh tickets per minute, with a new IRCTC website launching by July 15, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Vande Bharat में मुफ्त खाना कब मिलेगा?
अगर ट्रेन 2 घंटे से ज्यादा लेट होती है, तो उन यात्रियों को मुफ्त चावल, दाल और अचार मिलेगा जिन्होंने टिकट बुकिंग के समय मील विकल्प चुना था।
क्या बिना मील बुकिंग के ट्रेन में खाना खरीद सकते हैं?
हाँ, 8 फरवरी 2025 से Vande Bharat के यात्री बिना प्री-बुकिंग के भी ट्रेन के अंदर से खाना खरीद सकते हैं।