
Only train in India that serves free breakfast, lunch and dinner to all passengers, the train is..., it operates between...
Every day, Indian Railways carries nearly 2.5 crore passengers across the country using over 13,000 trains, including express, mail, and luxury services. But out of this massive network, there's just one train that stands out by offering something truly special — free meals to all its travelers. This one-of-a-kind train is the Sachkhand Express (Train No. 12715), which travels between Nanded in Maharashtra and Amritsar in Punjab — two important cities for the Sikh community. The route connects Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded, where the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, took his last breath in 1708, to the holy Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.
While most trains require travelers to buy food onboard or carry their own, Sachkhand Express passengers are served wholesome, home-style meals completely free of charge. This has been a proud tradition for the past 29 years. This train has been serving free food breakfast, lunch, and dinner to its passengers during the long 33-hour journey that spans almost 2,000 kilometers and stops at 39 stations.
Unlike other trains where food has to be purchased, on the Sachkhand Express, volunteers from Gurudwaras serve langar, a traditional community meal, at six major stations: New Delhi, Bhopal, Parbhani, Jalna, Aurangabad, and Marathwada. These meals are simple, home-style dishes such as kadhi-chawal, chole, dal, khichdi, and vegetable curries like aloo-patta gobhi.
Passengers are often advised to carry their own plates or containers, as the food is served at designated stops and must be consumed onboard.
The meals are completely free of cost, thanks to generous donations made to the Gurudwaras that organize the service. From sleeper class to AC coaches, all passengers are treated equally. Travelers are kindly advised to bring their own plates or bowls to enjoy the langar during the trip.
The Sachkhand Express isn't just a mode of transport — it's a moving example of faith, service, and community spirit on wheels.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Tourism Terror And Tensions Discussing Kashmir After Operation Sindoor
On 22 April, militants struck Baisaran meadow, a scenic tourist spot in Kashmir, separating Hindu and Sikh visitors from Muslim locals before opening fire. The attack killed several men while sparing women and children, a grim reminder of how civilians remain trapped in cycles of violence. For Kashmir's residents, the aftermath was twofold: grief for lives lost, and dread over the collapse of their fragile economy. The region had welcomed many tourists the previous year, offering hope for stable livelihoods. Now, deserted streets and cancelled bookings threaten shopkeepers, guides, and hotel workers already struggling after years of conflict. In the days that followed, cross-border shelling between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) shattered the ceasefire, displacing families in Poonch and other border districts. Homes were damaged, and schools closed. For many Kashmiris, survival now hinges on navigating checkpoints, shortages, and the constant hum of drones overhead a daily reality overshadowed by geopolitical headlines. The question is no longer just about India or Pakistan's next move, but how Kashmiri civilians will endure yet another surge of violence?
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Maha Kumbh sparked ₹500 cr tax surge in UP, spurred economic growth: Report
The 45-day Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj has proven to be more than just a massive religious gathering — it has become a significant economic event for Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state. Attracting about 66 crore pilgrims, the mela is said to have generated substantial revenue for the state government, driven largely by a sharp increase in tax collections and fuel sales, a MoneyControl report said on Saturday. Official figures, accessed by the news portal, reveal that the Maha Kumbh contributed around ₹500 crore in additional Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Value Added Tax (VAT) to the state exchequer. A senior official from the tax department is quoted as saying, "The Maha Kumbh has contributed around ₹500 crore in additional GST/VAT to the state exchequer, clearly reflecting the scale and reach of this religious and cultural phenomenon." In the first two months of 2025 alone — January and February — tax collections from sectors directly tied to the event totalled ₹239.47 crore. Prayagraj was the highest contributor, generating ₹146.4 crore, while other religious centres like Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Noida also saw increased collections. Sector-wise contributions Sectorally, Indian Railways led the way with ₹124.6 crore in tax contributions. Tent houses and advertising together generated ₹9.38 crore, while the hotel industry added ₹7.12 crore. An increase in air travel across the state resulted in ₹68.37 crore in taxes. In Prayagraj itself, ₹2.15 crore was collected through tax deducted at source (TDS), with another ₹9.3 crore pending clearance. Local bodies like the Public Works Department (PWD) and Nagar Nigam also played a part in boosting revenue. The financial impact extended well beyond Prayagraj. Noida reported ₹12 crore in collections, primarily from hotels and online travel platforms. Varanasi added ₹8.42 crore and Ayodhya ₹2.28 crore, as per the report. The rise in digital travel bookings and the hospitality industry highlighted the growing role of religious tourism in the state's economy. Fuel sales reflect increased mobility Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) data for January and February 2025 shows a notable jump in fuel consumption. Petrol sales in Prayagraj surged by 81.95% in February alone — rising from 6,058 kilolitres last year to 11,022.5 kilolitres. January saw a rise from 5,253 kilolitres to 7,157 kilolitres. One kilolitre is equal to 1,000 litres. Diesel consumption also grew. January sales increased from 10,204 to 12,428 kilolitres, while February sales climbed to 13,777.5 kilolitres from 11,061 kilolitres. This reflects an overall fuel volume increase of over 11,800 kilolitres across both months. The economic ripple effect touched smaller businesses too. As many pilgrims travelled in private vehicles, the demand at roadside eateries, small hotels, and fuel stations surged — especially in and around Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ayodhya, as well as along key highways. While much of this informal activity goes unrecorded in tax data, it contributed significantly to the local economy. Return on government spending The Uttar Pradesh government allocated around ₹7,500 crore towards the Maha Kumbh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended the expenditure, stating, 'If an investment of ₹7,500 crore by the Central and state governments can generate economic activity worth ₹3 to ₹3.5 trillion, isn't it a wise investment?' An estimate by the Confederation of All India Traders supported this, suggesting that if every pilgrim spent ₹5,000 during their visit, the overall economic value of the mela would reach ₹2 trillion.


India.com
10 hours ago
- India.com
This Indian Railways train gets Z+ security, commandos with AK-47s to guard...., passengers to be scanned for..., train name is...
This Indian Railways train gets Z+ security, commandos with AK-47s to guard …, passengers to be scanned for…, train name is… Katra Srinagar Vande Bharat: The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train has started for passengers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off the train on June 6 before Bakrid. It is the first train connection between the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region. Now, passengers will reach Srinagar from Katra in just 3 hours. If you are worried about the security during the travel to a sensitive place like Kashmir, then don't worry because this Vande Bharat Train will operate with high security. Security of Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express The Indian Railways has made special arrangements for the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat express. The train has been secured like an impenetrable fortress, with armed commandos will be deployed to protect it. CORAS, commandos of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), have been deployed to protect Vande Bharat trains on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line. As many as 20 commandos and a supervisor will be present in every Vande Bharat train to protect the passengers. These jawans will be equipped with AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons. Soldiers Deployed To Protect The Tunnel Security has been tightened along the entire Katra-Srinagar train route. This includes round-the-clock armed soldier patrols at both tunnel entrances and continuous CCTV surveillance inside and outside each tunnel. All trains operating on this route will be escorted by commandos. Keeping in mind the safety of passengers, these trains will be run only during the day. No train will operate at night. As per Railway officials, this will be the first time that CORAS will be deployed in a train. Entry After Security Check Enhanced security measures are in place for the Vande Bharat Express train travelling to Kashmir. This includes heightened security for the train itself, as well as the tunnels, Chenab Bridge, and Anji Bridge along its route. Passengers and their luggage will undergo security checks and scans before boarding at Platform 1 in Katra. Valid identification is required, and luggage will be X-rayed. Boarding will only be permitted after the completion of these security procedures.