By Gazi Abbas Shahid

Copyright india

Sachkhand Express: The Indian Railways one of the worlds largest railway networks operates about 13000 passenger trains per day ferrying millions of passengers across the country on a daily basis. Train journeys in India are an experience in itself especially when commuters can enjoy a hot meal with friends and family during the trip making it more enjoyable.
While most trains operated by the Indian Railways run pantry services that offers paid meals there is one special train which serves free food to passengers throughout the entire journey and has been doing so for nearly three decades.
Which train offers free meals to passengers?
We are talking about the Sachkhand Express (12715) where passengers are served hot meals through the entire trip completely free of cost. Unlike other trains where passengers must pay for their meals aboard the train the Sachkhand Express offers free breakfast lunch and dinner to passengers throughout its 2081 km trip.
According to various reports the free food aboard the Sachkhand Express has been made possible due to a langar (community kitchen) which is served on the train since the last three decades. The train halts for a long enough period to allow passengers to receive food without any rush.
The passengers aboard the train often bring their own utensils to receive langar which includes mouth-watering vegetarian meals such as kadhi-chawal dal and sabzi.
What route does the train operate on?
The Sachkhand Express runs between Amritsar and Nanded covering a total distance of 2081 km connecting two prominent Sikh religious destinations– Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar and Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded. Sachkand Express halts at 39 stations during its over 2000 km long journey and passengers are offered free meals at six of these stops.
The train also has a pantry of its own but no food is prepared there as the langar is served to every passenger with an estimated 2000 people receiving free meals every day.
The free langar was started around 30 years ago in 1995 and has served millions of passengers ever since.