By Sitaram Mewati l Mumbai
Raising concerns over hygiene, food quality and consumer rights at railway catering outlets, the Lions Club of Mumbai Mahanagar has urged the Central Railway administration to conduct surprise inspections at railway stations across Maharashtra to ensure strict compliance with food safety and catering norms.
Rajendra Chopra, President of the Lions Club of Mumbai Mahanagar, has appealed to Tukaram Munde, General Manager, Central Railway, to launch regular surprise raids on food and tea stalls operating on railway premises. He said such inspections would improve accountability and help safeguard the interests of lakhs of passengers who depend on railway catering services every day.
According to Chopra, passengers frequently complain about unhygienic conditions at some food stalls, poor maintenance of food preparation areas and the alleged use of substandard ingredients. He said vendors are expected to comply with the standards prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as Indian Railways’ catering guidelines.
Chopra also alleged that some vendors encourage passengers to purchase packaged drinking water instead of directing them to free drinking water facilities available at railway stations. He further claimed that food portions served at certain outlets are sometimes smaller than the quantities prescribed under railway catering norms, depriving passengers of fair value for the amount they pay.
Calling for stricter monitoring, Chopra said surprise inspections by senior railway officials would serve as an effective deterrent against negligence and unfair practices. “If Mr Tukaram Munde takes firm action against erring food and tea stall vendors, it will send a strong message across the railway catering network and encourage better compliance with hygiene and food safety standards,” he said.
He also called for periodic audits of food stalls, verification of licences, inspection of kitchens and storage facilities, and strict enforcement of FSSAI norms. Displaying hygiene standards, approved menu prices and prescribed food quantities at catering outlets, he said, would improve transparency and strengthen passenger confidence.
Chopra said stronger monitoring and prompt action against violations would significantly improve food quality, hygiene and accountability at railway catering outlets. He urged the railway administration to ensure strict enforcement of FSSAI and railway catering norms so that passengers receive safe, hygienic and fairly priced food, along with the prescribed quantity and facilities during their journey.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
