It is 2026. Plant-based eating is no longer a niche preference; it is a global movement toward health, sustainability, kindness and taste! Yet, finding wholesome, satisfying plant-based meals on Indian trains remains a constant challenge. We need to change this because there are lakhs of passengers on Indian trains that are vegan and/or eat plant-based – and there will be lakhs who would want to eat better, if given the option!
By integrating vegan and plant-based options into railway catering, Indian Railways and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have a golden opportunity to lead us into a greener, healthier, and more compassionate Food system’s initiation!
Driving Sustainability on the Tracks
Our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, and our food choices lie at the heart of the solution. Industrial animal agriculture contributes heavily to global greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, deadening of ocean zones, public health emergencies, biodiversity loss, water and air pollution and deforestation,
Choosing plant-based foods is one of the most effective ways we can protect our planet. Transitioning a considerable amount of our train meals to plant-based proteins such as lentils, tofu, and seasonal vegetables saves water, preserves land, slashes carbon emissions ,and promotes a massive amount of sustainability in food and animal welfare.
With the massive scale of the Indian Railways catering network, introducing plant-based options would have an immediate, positive impact on our environment. It is a simple, highly-achievable step that aligns with our transition systems to achieve India’s climate goals.
Take Action Today!
You can be the hero who helps bring green, compassionate meals to millions of passengers.
Join us in urging Indian Railways and IRCTC to integrate healthy, sustainable, plant-based options into train menus across the country. Your voice is critical to making this progress a reality.
Sign the Petition Now to Normalise Vegan Meals on Indian Railways!
Nourishing Our Bodies and Minds
Long train journeys demand a lot of our bodies. Passengers deserve meals that keep them feeling energized, light, and healthy throughout their travels.
Plant-based foods naturally provide clean protein, essential vitamins, and fiber while remaining low in saturated fats and free of cholesterol. Offering wholesome plant-based meals on trains allows passengers to choose food that supports heart health, improves digestion, and boosts energy levels. Ensuring everyone has access to clean, nourishing food makes travel safer and more comfortable for all.
Meeting the Demand for Inclusive, Compassionate Food
More passengers than ever are opting to switch to plant protein for their health, the planet, and animals. Many passengers avoid dairy and other animal-derived ingredients. Currently, these travellers are often left with extremely limited options, forcing them to pack their own meals or go hungry during long journeys.
Normalising plant-based options on trains is about inclusivity. It ensures that every passenger, regardless of their dietary choices, has access to a nourishing, delicious meal. Furthermore, choosing plant-based meals helps spare millions of animals from the extreme confinement of industrial farming, allowing us to build a more compassionate society with every bite. There is a vast array of plant-based delicious and healthy options in every food category in India today. The Indian Railways must tap into this supply availability of more healthy, more sustainable, more ethical food choices
We Can Make This Change Happen, Together!
Since Mercy For Animals urged IRCTC to offer plant-based options in August 2022, Indian Railways has had a clear path toward a greener, healthier, and more compassionate menu. This is where we come in. We have the power to shape the future of travel in India. By showing Indian Railways and IRCTC that there is massive, enthusiastic demand for plant-based food, we can encourage them to update their menus for the modern era.
We can modernise our journeys, protect our planet, and stand up for animals. But we need to act now.
