South Eastern Railway intensifies drive against unauthorized vendors in trains and stations

Kharagpur, June 13: The Kharagpur Division of South Eastern Railway has launched a special joint enforcement drive to curb unauthorized vending and hawking in trains and railway premises.

The operation was conducted jointly by the Commercial Department and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) across several trains and station areas. During the drive, teams carried out extensive inspections to identify and apprehend vendors operating without valid railway authorization.

Several unauthorized vendors were caught during the operation and penalized under relevant provisions of the Railways Act. They were subsequently handed over to the RPF for further legal action.

Railway authorities emphasized that all authorized vendors are issued QR code-enabled identity cards. Passengers have been advised to purchase food and beverages only from authorized vendors after verifying their credentials.

Officials noted that unauthorized vending poses serious risks to passenger safety and service quality, as unapproved vendors may sell unhygienic or substandard food items. Their presence can also create security concerns and inconvenience passengers.

The Kharagpur Division stated that such enforcement drives will continue regularly to ensure a safe, secure, and comfortable travel experience. Passengers have also been encouraged to report unauthorized vending or any suspicious activity to railway authorities for prompt action.