If you are up for a short distance journey with reservation, then you might have to face the daily passengers in your journey. Some go till Burdwan, some till Durgapur. At Asansol, generally the train gets a bit empty.
For food, this train has a pantry car and sells every item of a pantry car from the beginning of the journey. Do try their elaichi chai. If you are up for brekfast on Day 1, then you can also buy it at Barddhaman (Janata meal, Rs 30 per box, 5 pooris, alu ka sabzi and lemon aachar).