Travelled from Nizamuddin to Belgaum in AC 2 Tier (A1 Coach). The major concern during this time is the food. Yes the train has pantry and they are providing food. Tea, Biscuits, Ready to Eat Noodles are supplied by the Pantry alongside mineral water and the other beverages. In case of Dinner and Lunch, Pantry is offering Ready to Eat Meals from Haldirams (Veg only). Kadhi Pakoda, Dal Tadka, Chana Rice and Shahi Paneer are the varieties available. Except Shahi Paneer whose price is ₹165, the rest of the items price is ₹155. And this is the printed price, no overhead charges. They are also selling Egg Biryani and Veg Biryani, but they won't be selling it directly, if you want you need to ask them. Egg Biryani is ₹100 and Veg Biryani is ₹80. In breakfast they are offering as usual Bread Omelette and Bread Cutlet (both ₹50). My first...
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suggestion would be try bringing your own food if you can. If you can't then go for the Haldirams packaged food and at the end Biryani from Pantry. I tasted the Pantry one, because I didn't have any option, and believe me it was worst. More like two eggs in a Khichdi. Pantry would also be selling Samosa, Pakoda and Kachori. If you are not comfortable with all these options, you van avail food from the Stations too. Since timing of Jhansi, Bhopal and Pune matches with the Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast respectively, thus you can avail from the station too. Yes stations too are selling packaged meal, but would rather suggest you to stick with Haldirams one (if option available). Cleanliness is maintained highly. Thanks to the OBHS, washrooms and all were periodically cleaned and sanitised. Added to it in each and every big stations, Station Staff too is cleaning and sanitising. So full marks on that. If you are thinking to choose this train for Bangalore, please don't. This train os good for people doing intermediate journey. Train almost remains empty, but runs packed between Bhopal and Pune. Otherwise almost empty. Since no congestion, no traffic so pulled up before time in all the Stations. The train pulled up in Pune Junction, about 50 minutes before time. For rail fanning yes good..of course, would see the xing with the Rajdhani Specials bound to NZM. Broad daylight coverage of Jhansi, Gwalior, the S curve and Ghat section post Pune. So overall a pleasant experience. Would rate it 4/5.