Pune Railway Station Raid: 27 Unauthorized Hawkers Booked, 420 Water Bottles Seized

Pune, 24th June 2026: The Commercial Department of Pune Division, with assistance from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), conducted a surprise intensive checking drive across railway premises and trains on Tuesday to curb illegal and unauthorized vending activities.

During the operation, 27 unauthorized hawkers and vendors were apprehended for carrying out vending activities without authorization on railway premises and onboard trains. Railway authorities registered 27 cases under Section 144 of the Railways Act and recovered a total penalty of ₹54,000. Each offender was fined ₹2,000 in accordance with the provisions of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, and applicable railway regulations.

In a separate action during the drive, officials seized a trolley carrying 35 cartons containing 420 bottles of non-approved packaged drinking water from Platform No. 2 of Pune Railway Station. The seizure was made during inspections aimed at checking the sale and distribution of unauthorized products on railway premises.

PRO Hemant Kumar Behera said the drive was part of the division’s continued effort to make railway services more passenger-centric and to ensure that only authorized and safe products are sold at stations and on trains. “The Pune Division is committed to maintaining a clean, safe and passenger-friendly railway environment. Unauthorized vending not only violates railway rules but also affects passenger convenience, hygiene and safety. This surprise checking drive has been undertaken with a clear focus on passenger-centric service delivery, ensuring that travellers receive only approved food items, beverages and packaged drinking water from authorized sources,” he said.

He further added that the division will continue such intensive drives in the coming days and strengthen coordination between the Commercial Department and RPF to curb unauthorized vending, prevent the sale of non-approved products and take strict action against repeat offenders. “We will keep intensifying checks across stations and trains, especially at vulnerable locations and peak hours. Awareness will also be created among passengers so that they remain vigilant and choose only authorized vendors. Our future steps will include regular monitoring, surprise inspections and strict enforcement to ensure compliance with railway norms and to uphold passenger safety and comfort,” Behera said.

The apprehended individuals are being proceeded against under the provisions of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act and relevant sections of the Railways Act.

According to railway officials, such enforcement drives are being conducted across the division to check unauthorized vending activities and ensure compliance with railway regulations.

Passengers have been advised to purchase food items, beverages and packaged drinking water only from authorized railway stalls and vendors and to report any unauthorized vending activities to railway authorities.