Nagpur: As summer brings a sharp rise in passenger traffic, Central Railway’s Nagpur Division has stepped up its crackdown on unauthorized vending both aboard trains and at railway stations to safeguard passenger health and uphold catering standards.
In a bid to curb the twin threats of unhygienic food and revenue leakage, the division has launched an intensive and sustained campaign targeting illegal vendors. Over the past two weeks alone, the Commercial Department has prosecuted 122 unauthorized sellers operating across various sections.
During inspections, teams have seized and destroyed large quantities of unsafe and substandard food items — including unbranded buttermilk packets, non-Rail Neer bottled water, and contaminated “chana.” These items, sold without approval, pose serious health risks and compromise the quality of services offered by licensed vendors.
The operation is being led by a task force comprising commercial managers, inspectors, and catering officers. In the past week, 19 unauthorized vending cases were booked on key trains and sections such as the 12791/12792 Secunderabad–Danapur Express, 12295/12296 Sanghamitra Express, and routes including Nagpur–Ballarshah, Nagpur–Sewagram, Nagpur–Itarsi, and Nagpur–Badnera. Additionally, six vendors each were caught and penalized at Betul and Sewagram stations.
Officials noted that sustained and focused action over the past two months has significantly curtailed the prevalence of unauthorized vending. Central Railway has reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety, hygiene, and revenue protection, emphasizing that the enforcement drive will continue with a zero-tolerance approach.
