Pune Railway Fines Vendor Rs 20,000 for Overcharging Passenger Rs 6 for Water Bottle
Pune Railway Fines Vendor Rs 20,000 for Overcharging Passenger Rs 6 for Water Bottle
Prompt action after a passenger complaint on helpline 139; vendor’s shop suspended for two days as Central Railway intensifies checks against overpricing.
In a swift and decisive move, the Central Railway’s Pune Division fined a shopkeeper Rs 20,000 and suspended his outlet for two days after he was caught overcharging a passenger for a Railneer water bottle at Pune Railway Station.
According to officials, the vendor on platform number two sold a Rs 14 Railneer bottle for Rs 20, charging Rs 6 extra from a passenger. The incident came to light after a vigilant commuter reported the overpricing through the Railway helpline number 139.
Taking immediate cognizance of the complaint, the railway administration imposed a fine and suspended the vendor’s license for two days. “We received a complaint from a passenger on number 139 regarding the overcharging by a vendor. Taking cognizance, we immediately imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on A. H. Wheeler, a vendor on platform number 2 of Pune Railway Station. His shop has been suspended for two days,” said Hemant Kumar Behera, Divisional Commercial Manager, Central Railway.
Passengers have welcomed the action, calling it a much-needed deterrent against vendors exploiting commuters. “Usually, vendors take advantage of rush hours or late-night travel to charge extra. It’s good that the Railways is listening to passengers,” said a frequent traveler at Pune Junction.
The Pune Division has recently stepped up inspections across platforms to curb overpricing, unsanitary practices, and unauthorized vending. Officials have urged passengers to remain alert and report any irregularities through helpline number 139 or the Rail Madad app, assuring that all verified complaints will be met with strict and immediate action.
