Mumbai Railway Stations: 45 Catering Outlets Face Action

Mumbai's Western and Central Railway stations have seen a crackdown on catering outlets, with 45 facing action for violating hygiene and cleanliness norms.

The 10-day drive, which ended on August 24, inspected 106 outlets across both railway zones. Western Railway's Mumbai Central Division shut 39 outlets, while Central Railway's Mumbai Division took action against six stalls.

The action includes temporary closures, penalties, and mandatory compliance checks before outlets can resume operations. On Western Railway, 20 outlets were allowed to reopen after operators corrected violations, paid penalties, and passed compliance checks. However, 19 outlets remain closed pending corrective action and verification.

Western Railway collected Rs 3.80 lakh in penalties from the vendors, with the highest penalty of Rs 1 lakh imposed on a tea stall at Bandra Terminus. A juice kiosk at Bandra station was fined Rs 50,000 and reopened after verification.

The 19 Western Railway outlets that remain shut include seven tea stalls at Surat, six at Vapi, three at Valsad, two at Borivali, and one at Dadar. The affected operators will have to complete corrective measures, pay applicable penalties, and clear formal compliance inspections before reopening.

Central Railway's Mumbai Division inspected 53 stalls and took action against six. Three outlets were ordered to remain closed for 10 days, while a total penalty of Rs 12,000 was imposed. The inspections focused on cleanliness, food handling, and compliance with prescribed operational standards.

The crackdown follows increased scrutiny of food quality at railway stations, with the IRCTC chief reviewing food quality and hygiene at Mumbai railway catering facilities last week. Railway authorities have maintained that such inspections are aimed at ensuring food safety, sanitation, and compliance with prescribed standards at stations and platforms.

The action highlights the difference in enforcement across the two zones, with Western Railway shutting a larger number of outlets and collecting substantially higher penalties. Officials from both zones have indicated that inspections will continue, and outlets facing violations will be allowed to resume operations only after completing corrective measures.

The move is expected to improve food safety and hygiene at Mumbai's railway stations, which see thousands of commuters daily. With the increased scrutiny, commuters can expect better quality food and a cleaner environment at the stations.

In recent times, there has been a growing concern about food safety at railway stations, with many cases of food poisoning being reported. The railway authorities' decision to step up hygiene checks is a welcome move, and it is expected to bring about a significant improvement in the overall quality of food served at the stations.

The inspections will continue, and the railway authorities will ensure that all catering outlets adhere to the prescribed standards of hygiene and cleanliness. This will not only improve the quality of food but also provide a cleaner and healthier environment for commuters.

The action taken by the railway authorities is a significant step towards ensuring food safety and hygiene at Mumbai's railway stations. It is expected to have a positive impact on the overall commuting experience, and commuters can look forward to a safer and healthier environment at the stations.