Indian Railways is more than a transport system—it’s the lifeline of the nation. With over 23 million passengers traveling every day across 7,000+ stations, the sheer scale is unmatched globally. It connects cities to villages, metros to mountains, and millions of families, workers, students, soldiers, and travelers.
But amid this massive, complex, highly functional network, one thing sticks out like an outdated relic: the food.
At most stations and inside most trains, the default food choices still revolve around the same oily puri-sabzi, fried pakoras, samosas, sugary tea, and packaged snacks. Rarely does a passenger come across something genuinely healthy, clean, and nutritious.
This is not just a Railways problem.
And this is not just a public problem.
It’s a 50–50 responsibility.
The system supplies what sells, and the public buys what it’s used to.
The real question is:
Can we break this cycle?
Why Healthy Food Is Still Missing: A Two-Sided Reality
To understand why Indian Railways has struggled to adopt healthier food options, we need to be honest about both sides of the situation.
- The Public’s Choices Shape the Menu
Whether we accept it or not, vendors sell what sells fastest.
What sells fastest?
Fried, hot, cheap, familiar items.
Even when healthier items are introduced on certain premium trains or station kiosks, the response is lukewarm. Passengers often prefer a ₹20 oily pakora over a ₹50 millet snack—even if the latter is better for their health.
This reflects deeper habits:
- We associate travel with indulgence.
- We want food that is immediate and filling.
- We prioritise cost over nutrition.
- We tend to undervalue preventive health.
This isn’t a judgment. It’s a pattern built over decades.
But patterns can change.
- Railways Operates a Massive, Complex Ecosystem
On the other hand, Indian Railways deals with:
- legacy vendors
- long-term contracts
- logistical challenges
- cost-sensitive passengers
- high-volume demand
- unpredictable footfall across regions
Upgrading the system overnight is unrealistic.
At the same time, staying outdated also isn’t an option.
Railways has attempted minor reforms—IRCTC meals, pre-booked food, third-party delivery partnerships—yet healthier options remain a rarity due to low demand, vendor resistance, and lack of a structured implementation vision.
So neither side is wrong.
But neither side has taken the final step.
The Real Issue: A Cultural Gap Between “What Is Offered” and “What Is Asked For”
Healthy food is not just about replacing fried snacks. It’s about offering affordable, accessible, clean choices that suit the Indian palate.
But this requires:
- public demand
- infrastructure planning
- vendor training
- startup collaboration
- policy direction
The absence of any one results in the whole system stagnating.
This is why India needs a collaborative food strategy, not a blame-oriented one.
A Constructive Path Forward: What We Can Actually Do
Here are realistic, actionable, non-theoretical steps that Indian Railways, startups, and the public can take—together.
- Introduce “Dual Menu” Food Kiosks
Instead of forcing healthy food or eliminating existing snacks, the system can offer:
✔ Menu A: Traditional, affordable snacks
✔ Menu B: Healthy alternatives
Examples of healthy items:
- Millet poha
- Baked namkeen
- Low-oil idli-sambar
- Sugar-free tea
- Fruit bowls
- Protein laddoos
- Cold-pressed juices
- Sprout bowls
This gives people choice, not compulsion.
- Onboard Startups Through Pilot Projects
India has hundreds of clean, nutritious, ready-to-eat brands.
Railways can collaborate with 10–20 vetted startups to launch pilot programs across:
- Top 20 stations
- Vande Bharat trains
- Rajdhani and Shatabdi routes
- Major junctions
If pilots work, expansion becomes obvious and low-risk.
- Affordable Healthy Combos for Common Passengers
Healthy food must fit Indian wallets.
A ₹150 salad bowl won’t work.
Railways can introduce:
- ₹40 millet upma
- ₹30 baked poha
- ₹50 steamed idli
- ₹60 veg khichdi
- ₹25 low-sugar lemon water
When health becomes affordable, mass adoption follows.
- Vendor Incentive Programs
Vendors will adopt healthier items if they see profit.
Railways can:
- Reduce commission for healthy products
- Give stall priority to health-focused vendors
- Offer license renewal benefits
- Train vendors for better handling and storage
A motivated vendor equals a transformed marketplace.
- Behavior Nudges for Passengers
Subtle cues can change habits without pressure.
Examples:
- “Choose a lighter meal for a safer journey.”
- “Healthier options available—look for the green kiosk.”
- Bright color coding for healthy stalls
- Adding calorie count on menus
Nudging works. Airports use it. Hospitals use it. Restaurants use it.
Railways can too.
- Bring Healthy Meals to Premium Trains First
Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, and Shatabdi passengers already expect better meals.
Create:
- millet rotis
- low-oil sabzi
- sugar-free beverages
- baked snacks
- fruit-cup add-ons
Success in premium trains influences mass trains later.
- Public Demand Must Increase
Passengers have more power than they think.
Just by:
- filing feedback
- posting on social media
- mentioning healthy options in complaints
- giving low ratings for oily food
- choosing healthier items when available they send a message.
Railways tracks public sentiment.
If enough voices ask for healthier food, the system responds.
What a Healthy Railway Food Ecosystem Could Look Like
Imagine a journey where:
- Stations have dedicated healthy kiosks
- Trains serve balanced meals
- Vendors sell millet snacks alongside pakoras
- Passengers have knowledge boards guiding choices
- Startups get national visibility
- Railways sets a nutrition standard
The impact would be enormous:
- better public health
- lower lifestyle disease rates
- improved productivity
- increased startup growth
- stronger rural supply chains
- healthier travel culture
This is not a fantasy.
It’s a practical blueprint.
Conclusion: Shared Responsibility, Shared Progress
Indian Railways doesn’t need criticism; it needs collaboration.
And the public doesn’t need lectures; it needs options.
If India wants to improve its national health, the food offered in the country’s largest public transport system cannot remain an afterthought.
Railways must evolve.
Startups must participate.
Vendors must adapt.
Passengers must demand.
When all four move together, healthy food on Indian Railways will stop being an exception—and become a new standard.
The journey toward a healthier India can begin right at the railway platform.
All it needs is a collective push.
