RailEnquiry

Authorities were forced to shut food kiosks on platforms one, three and six after vendors, who have not been paid for two months, stopped supplying goods

The kiosk on platform number 1, which was shut 20 days ago. A costlier privately-run food stall can be seen open on the right Pending bills of suppliers not being cleared for the months of August and September has led to the shutting down of three canteens at Pune Railway Station.

Having gotten themselves into a financial crisis, the Railways’ Pune Division was forced to shut three canteens on platforms one, three and sixtwenty days ago, after vendors stopped supplying goods.

These canteens used to store basic refreshments like biscuits, potato wafers, soft drinks and other snacks made by the railway kitchen.

When contacted by Mirror, Divisional Railway Manager (Pune) Suneet Sharma said, “Suppliers’ payments were not cleared. We will immediately check our accounts and pay them. The canteens will be reopened very soon.”

A total of 14 employees of the khanpan department ran these canteens round the clock. They are now selling vadapavs and samosas, sourced from the railway kitchen, on an irregular basis.   Speaking on condition of anonymity, a staffer said, “We now sell vadapavs and samosas in train compartments or at the station. We are all confused. Mostly, there is no work and we roam in and around the station premises during our respective duty hours.”

These canteens were very popular with passengers, mostly for their affordability. Regular commuter Dev Mule told Mirror, “We have to now buy food from privately-run shops.

Considering that food in such shops is costlier, it is difficult for us to afford.” Another daily passenger, S B Lande,  said, “This is a wrong move by the administration. These canteens should be reopened, as daily passengers like me used to frequent them.”