The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is expected to soon offer ‘vegetarian-friendly travel’ by obtaining ‘sattvik certification’ for some trains, particularly those that travel between religious sites. The Sattvik Council of India, a non-governmental organisation involved in the certification, made this statement. According to reports, only vegetarian food will be served in trains to religious sites starting November 15, 2021.

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The Sattvik Council of India has partnered with the IRCTC to provide vegetarian-friendly services and promote vegan travel to holy sites, according to a press release. As per Sattvik Council of India, the IRCTC’s Vande Bharat Express, which runs from Delhi to Katra, will be certified as “sattvik”.

“IRCTC base kitchens, executive lounges, budget hotels, food plazas, travel and tour packages, Rail Neer plants will be ‘sattvik’ certified to ensure ‘vegetarian-friendly travel,’ the statement said.

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In addition, the NGO stated that they would work with the IRCTC to create a vegetarian food handbook. It has an agreement with the IRCTC, and the latter has chosen to seek certification for specific pilgrimage trains, such as the Vande Bharat Express. According to the PTI report, about 18 trains are expected to serve sattvik food. The IRCTC, on the other hand, is yet to respond to the issued statement.

Many people have reacted to the news since it first broke. One of the Twitter users commented, “Finnally..!

Trains travelling to religious sites to receive ‘sattvik’ certification.

Sattvik Council of India, which describes itself as the world’s first vegetarian food safety & regulatory compliance to ensure vegetarian-friendly environment.!

#India,” while another chimed in, “So IRCTC ticket booking will have a new mandatory field asking for VEG/Non-Veg, if we select Non-Veg, Ticket won’t be available.”

Others like this one lauded the move, “A good initiative by Sattvik Council of India. Once again feeling proud to be the Shareholder of IRCTC”