In a major move to upgrade onboard food quality, Indian Railways has launched a pilot project to involve foreign catering companies on its premium Vande Bharat semi-high-speed trains. This marks the first instance of international food service providers being considered for catering services on Indian trains.
The pilot began on the Nagpur–Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express, where French catering giant ELIOR has been assigned to manage tea and dinner services. The initiative stems from recommendations by a Railway Board-appointed committee, which advocated bringing in global players to uplift catering standards to international benchmarks. Officials revealed that ten foreign companies from the U.S., Europe, and Asia are currently being assessed for potential wider deployment.
The objective is to modernize and diversify food options without increasing ticket prices or placing any additional financial burden on passengers.
At present, more than 90% of catering contracts in Indian Railways are held by a single domestic vendor, a monopolistic arrangement that has drawn sharp criticism for poor food quality, high prices, and limited variety. Responding to frequent passenger complaints, the Railways is overhauling its catering policy to encourage participation from both Indian and global food service brands.
If successful, the model could be expanded to all 136 Vande Bharat trains operating across India, ushering in a new era of onboard hospitality that aligns with international standards.
