Central Railway Bans Cooking Activities at Pune Division’s Suburban Railway Stations

In a move aimed at preventing fire accidents akin to the one at the “Jan Aahar” canteen in Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station last December, the Central Railway has issued a circular banning all cooking activities on platforms, including those of food hawkers, across suburban railway stations in Pune division.

The decision to enforce the new guidelines comes in the wake of safety concerns, particularly regarding fire hazards associated with cooking activities on platforms. The circular emphasizes that cooking using electrical appliances is permissible only at non-suburban stations.

Effective immediately, the ban encompasses all licensed food plazas, fast food units, Jan Aahar canteens, refreshment rooms, tea stalls, milk stalls, and other miscellaneous stalls operating on platforms within the Pune to Malavli railway station stretch.

While private food stalls and hotels on platforms express concerns over the sudden implementation of the rule, railway officials clarify that the regulations primarily target food vendors falling under the circulating area of the platform. Establishments with separate kitchen units situated away from the platforms are exempt from the ban.

Acknowledging the concerns raised by stakeholders, railway authorities assure that the implementation of the circular will be conducted in consultation with affected parties, with due consideration given to safety measures already in place at compliant establishments.

However, critics, including Harsha Shah, president of the Railway Pravasi Manch, argue that the ban may inconvenience passengers without necessarily addressing underlying safety issues. Shah questions the necessity of such drastic measures and advocates for a more nuanced approach to ensure passenger safety without disrupting essential services.

Stations affected by the new rule include Pune, Shivajinagar, Khadki, Dapodi, Kasarwadi, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Akurdi, Dehu Road, Begdewadi, Talegaon, Vadgaon, Kamshet, and Malavli. As the ban takes effect, discussions between railway authorities and stakeholders are expected to continue to address concerns and streamline the implementation process.