In a recent order, the Central Railway has prohibited food stalls from undertaking any cooking on platforms of suburban stations on the Pune-Malavali section. This blanket ban enforced in the public interest comes on the back of the massive fire at Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus canteen in December 2022 that risked passenger safety.
The railway circular covers popular stations like Pimpri, Khadki, Shivajinagar, Begdewadi, Vadgaon, Akurdi, Kasarwadi, Dapodi and Kamshet among others falling under Pune Division. Critics argue the move causes inconvenience.
Vendors Allowed Only Electrical Cooking at Other Stations
However, the order grants relaxation to food stall owners to utilize electrical appliances for preparing food within the premises of non-suburban stations beyond Malavali. But cooking activities on all suburban platforms now stand strictly discontinued after units were directed to shut down.
The railway officials have clarified that only 10 odd units falling outside platforms get exemption, but those vending on platforms must relocate. Some outlets with separate kitchens away from platforms may also receive relaxation based on safety compliance.
But other food stall associations have contested the blanket ban. They argue that basic precautions are anyhow being followed, and a balanced solution should be devised that improves safety without affecting businesses and traveler convenience drastically.
The railways though has held firm citing passenger security as paramount. Further petitions from vendors may see some revisions to the order, but suburban platform cooking seems set to end.
