Nagpur: In a continued effort to clamp down on unauthorized vending aboard trains and at Train Side Vending (TSV) spots, the Commercial Department of the Nagpur Division of Central Railway (CR) successfully apprehended three individuals on Sunday. Two of these individuals were found in possession of fake identity cards.
The operation was conducted by Commercial Inspectors and ticket-checking staff, who meticulously inspected four trains within the Betul-Nagpur section. The three suspects were detained aboard the 12296 Sanghamitra Danapur-Bengaluru Express. Two of the suspects, identified as Raju Prajapati and Sahil from JS Caterers & Suppliers, were found with counterfeit IDs, allegedly posing as authorized vendors of Nagpur Central Railway. These two individuals will face prosecution under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for fraud. The third suspect has been booked under the Railway Act. All three have been handed over to the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
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Monday 04 Nov. 2024
This crackdown is part of an intensified campaign following an incident on April 28, where 40 passengers on the Yeshwantpur-Gorakhpur Express suffered food poisoning after consuming egg biryani from unauthorized vendors in the Nagpur Division. The alarming incident prompted Central Railway to launch an extensive drive against unauthorized vending from May 1 to 31, 2024.
During this month-long operation, the Nagpur Division achieved notable results:
• 652 unauthorized vendors were prosecuted.
• 144 pantry cars were inspected.
• 83 catering stalls were checked.
• Penalties totalling Rs 27.45 lakh were collected from unauthorized vendors.
• Penalties of Rs 2.50 lakh were collected from catering stalls.
• 2,600 non-Rail Neer water bottles and over 120 unlabelled food packets were seized.
These measures aim to enhance passenger safety, maintain high standards of hygiene, and ensure compliance with railway regulations. Unauthorized vending compromises the quality and safety of services that Central Railway is committed to upholding.
The Commercial Department of Central Railway urged passengers to report any unauthorized vending and irregularities in catering services to contribute to a safer and more pleasant travel experience. This ongoing vigilance underscores the dedication of the Central Railway to provide quality service and protect the well-being of its passengers.
