Mumbai railway updates: You can no longer buy tea, coffee and cooked food at CR grocery kiosks

Central Railway has standardised items sold at station grocery kiosks, allowing daily essentials and packaged snacks while prohibiting cooked food, tea and coffee. Representational Pic

Central Railway has standardised the list of items permitted for sale at grocery kiosks across its divisions, prohibiting cooked food, tea and coffee from being sold at these outlets.

The move, introduced as part of Special Cleanliness Campaign 6.0, aims to ensure uniformity, improve passenger convenience and prevent unauthorised vending at railway stations and premises.

Central Railway has awarded contracts for grocery kiosks under its Non-Fare Revenue (NFR) initiative to provide passengers with access to essential daily-use and household products during their journeys.

Groceries, snacks and personal care products allowed

Under the new guidelines, kiosks can sell staples such as rice, wheat, pulses, flour, edible oils, sugar, salt, spices and dry fruits. Packaged drinking water from railway-approved brands, juices, energy drinks and soft drinks are also permitted.

Packaged snacks, including biscuits, popcorn and chips, along with instant noodles, ready-to-eat foods, sauces, jams and pickles, can be sold. Dairy and bakery products are also on the approved list.

Ready-to-cook frozen snacks, such as parathas, cutlets and nuggets, as well as ice cream stored in medium-sized deep freezers, are permitted.

The list also includes personal care and hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, detergent, tissues, napkins and toilet paper. Baby products, including diapers, baby food and wipes, pet food, pet care products, stationery and small utility items can also be sold.

Cooked food, tea and coffee prohibited

Central Railway has explicitly prohibited the sale of cooked food, tea and coffee at grocery kiosks. The restrictions are intended to establish a clear and uniform set of rules for vendors across stations.

Kiosk operators must comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations and maintain cleanliness in and around their stalls.

They must also provide dustbins with garbage bags within a radius of around one metre of the stall.

Focus on hygiene and passenger convenience

Central Railway said the standardised list would help passengers access daily essentials, branded products and household items at reasonable prices while maintaining hygiene across stations.

The railway administration also aims to strengthen its non-fare revenue through transparent commercial facilities while curbing unauthorised vending.

The press release was issued by Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, on Monday.