Indian Railways

Over 13,000 trains run daily across India, carrying more than 2 crore passengers. But only one train quietly stands out. Not because of speed, luxury, or technology, but for something humane. This train, known as the Sachkhand Express, is the only train in India where passengers are served free breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout a journey that lasts nearly 35 hours from Maharashtra to Punjab. Sachkhand Express (12715) operates between Nanded in Maharashtra and Amritsar in Punjab, covering around 2,000 kilometers and connecting two of the holiest Sikh sites in the country. If you travel in this train, you’ll be served a fresh home-style meal, without anyone asking for money. You might get kadhi-chawal, sabzi, and fresh rotis, served with a warm smile. These meals aren’t cooked in a railway kitchen, instead they’re prepared at nearby Gurudwaras and brought on board by volunteers. It’s all part of the Sikh tradition of langar, where anyone, rich or poor, local or stranger, is offered food with respect and free of cost. This beautiful act of service has been going on since 1995, and passengers have been receiving free meals for nearly 30 years now. The food is not served at just one place, it is offered at several stations along the journey. While there is no official list, many passengers have received meals at stops like Aurangabad, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior, Delhi, and Ludhiana. And, since the meals are not from the railway’s pantry, you need to carry your own plate or tiffin box to receive the food. Volunteers usually walk along the platform or get into the coaches with containers full of fresh meals, offering them to whoever is willing to accept. In a time when everything is about give and take, this train reminds you that kindness can travel thousands of kilometers too. What began as a humble offering by the Sikh community has become a part of this train’s identity. So next time you hear someone talk about Indian Railways, tell them there’s one train which offers more than a journey. It’s a moving example of generosity, faith, and shared humanity.