In a bid to enhance safety measures and prevent fire incidents, the Central Railway has issued a circular prohibiting all cooking activities on suburban railway platforms within the Pune division. This decision, prompted by a fire incident at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus last December, directly impacts food hawkers and various food stalls operating on the platforms.
The circular specifies that cooking, regardless of the method employed, is now strictly prohibited at suburban railway stations. The ban extends across multiple stations from Pune to Malavli, including prominent ones like Pune, Shivajinagar, Khadki, Dapodi, Kasarwadi, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Akurdi, Dehu Road, Begdewadi, Talegaon, Vadgaon, Kamshet, and Malavli.
This move is a response to the fire accident at the “Jan Aahar” canteen in Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, as reported by the Indian Express. The Central Railway aims to prevent similar incidents by imposing a blanket ban on cooking activities at suburban railway stations.
As a consequence of the circular, licensed food plazas, fast food units, Jan Ahaar canteens, refreshment rooms, tea stalls, milk stalls, and other miscellaneous stalls have been instructed to cease cooking activities on the platforms. Private food stalls and hotels on platforms are seeking alternative arrangements in light of the new regulations.
However, railway officials clarify that the ban applies to food and tea stalls within the circulating area of the platform. Restaurants with separate kitchen facilities situated away from the platforms are exempted from these regulations. The Central Railway emphasizes that safety remains a top priority, and the ban is intended to prevent any potential mishaps.
The manager of Food Express Services acknowledges receiving the circular and assures compliance with safety protocols, highlighting the presence of a separate kitchen chamber where food is prepared. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Milind Hirve clarified that approximately ten stalls located outside the designated region are unaffected by the ban, emphasizing the specific application of the rules.
In the interest of public safety, these measures are being enforced to ensure a secure and incident-free environment at Pune’s suburban railway stations.
