Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati, has partnered with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) as the official caterer for India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Operating on the Howrah–Kamakhya (Guwahati) route, the service marks a new chapter in overnight rail travel.
The onboard menus have been thoughtfully designed to balance familiarity with regional character, offering wholesome vegetarian meals suited to overnight travel while staying true to local food traditions. Seasonal produce, slow-cooked preparations, gentle spice profiles, and time-honoured sweets form the backbone of the dining experience, ensuring meals remain comforting, flavourful, and easy to enjoy during a long-distance journey.
Mr. Ratan Sharma, Managing Director, Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati, said, “Mayfair’s approach goes far beyond serving meals; it is about creating a sense of place and an immersive experience through food. Each dish onboard has been carefully curated to reflect the authentic flavours, traditions, and culinary heritage of Bengal and Assam while meeting modern dining expectations. We want passengers to experience the culture, local ingredients, and stories behind each dish, making every meal a memorable highlight of the journey itself, an overnight rail experience that is both comforting and uniquely reflective of Northeast India.”
The Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper is India’s first long-distance overnight Vande Bharat train, covering nearly 1,000 km. It features 16 fully air-conditioned sleeper coaches, including First AC, AC 2-tier, and AC 3-tier, accommodating around 823 passengers. Designed for comfort and speed, it includes ergonomic berths, modern amenities, automatic doors, advanced suspension, noise-reduction features, and the Kavach anti-collision system, operating at a scheduled speed of up to 130 km/h. By reducing travel time and offering confirmed berths for all passengers, the service strengthens connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast, establishing itself as a premium overnight travel option.