Commuter groups protest CR’s plan to allow vendors inside Mumbai local trains

A decision by Central Railway to allow licensed hawkers inside suburban local trains for the next three years has triggered strong opposition from commuter groups who warn that the move could worsen overcrowding and compromise passenger safety during peak hoursRailway authorities have approved the entry of authorised vendors in trains running between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus CSMT and Kalyan stating that the measure aims to curb illegal hawking However passenger associations have criticised the decision calling it illtimed and unsafeWith CR refusing to roll back the move commuter bodies have written to CM Devendra Fadnavis seeking urgent intervention As per the deal 46 hawkers have been shortlistedA licensed hawker inside a local train PicBy Special ArrangementMajor concern No clarity on timingsPassenger groups have raised concerns that the contract does not clearly specify operating hours for vendorsThe absence of defined timings has led to fears that hawkers may operate during both peak and nonpeak hours potentially adding to congestion in already overcrowded trainsOfficial speakldquoThe licensed hawkers will not only fetch revenue to the railways but also discourage illegal hawkers forcing commuters to buy from them They have been permitted to be in local trains for three years and sell as per MRP It will have better quality control over the productsrdquo a CR spokesperson saidLetter to chief ministerThe Suburban Railway Passengersrsquo Federation has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding cancellation of the decisionldquoWe have requested the chief minister to take serious note of this order which permits hawkers and poses a risk to passenger safety Passenger safety must be prioritised and the decision withdrawnrdquo Argade saidCopies of the letter have also been sent to Members of Parliament Shrikant Shinde Narendra Mhaske Suresh Mhatre Balyamama and Sanjay PatilPassenger groups have opposed moveLata Argade president of the Suburban Railway Passengersrsquo Federation said a similar proposal in 2023 had been withdrawn following strong oppositionAn unlicensed hawker selling goods inside a suburban local train File picldquoEarlier in 2023 the then senior DCM of the railway administration had initiated a process to allow hawkers in suburban trains This move was opposed by passenger associations and public representatives following which the proposal was withdrawnrdquo she saidShe alleged that the current decision was taken without consulting passenger bodies or the railway committee membersldquoPermission has now been granted to hawkers to sell goods in suburban trains from Kalyan to CSMT without taking stakeholders into confidence This will only worsen the problems faced by passengers who already risk their lives travelling in overcrowded trainsrdquo Argade saidldquoIt appears that revenue is more important to the railway administration than passenger safety Officials should experience peakhour travel themselves before making such decisionsrdquo she addedCommuters voice concernSagar Tipnis commuterlsquoBasically hawkers in trains have always been there It seems railway authorities have realised that removing them completely is not possible so they might as well formalise it and generate revenuersquoKhurshed Lawyer commuterlsquoThey will push and shove while especially during peak hours We already see unlicensed hawkers selling food and water in trains This decision will make locals more crowded unhygienic and chaoticrsquoHawker contract detailsRoute CSMT to Kalyan suburban sectionContract periodDecember 22 2025 to December 21 2028Auction date September 23 2025Annual licence fee Rs 4401000Total contract value Rs 13203000Scope Sale of consumable and nonconsumable items in all classes