Pune Railway Station Kiosks Banned From Selling Tea, Coffee and Cooked Food; Central Railway Issues New Rules

Pune, October 20, 2026: Passengers travelling through Pune Railway Station will no longer be able to purchase tea, coffee or freshly cooked food from grocery kiosks. Central Railway has introduced new restrictions on items sold at these stalls as part of its Special Cleanliness Campaign 6.0.

The decision, announced on Monday, October 19, applies to grocery kiosks operating at Pune Railway Station and other stations under Central Railway. The objective is to standardise the products available, improve hygiene and prevent unauthorised vending.

Tea, Coffee and Cooked Food Excluded From Grocery Kiosks

According to Hemant Kumar Behera, spokesperson for the Pune railway division, cooked food, tea and coffee have been specifically excluded from the list of products permitted at grocery kiosks.

However, the restriction applies only to grocery kiosks, not to all food outlets at railway stations. Passengers can continue purchasing tea, coffee and prepared meals from other authorised catering stalls, where available.

The grocery kiosks operate under Central Railway's Non-Fare Revenue (NFR) scheme, which generates income through commercial activities other than ticket sales.

What Can Passengers Buy at Railway Kiosks?

Under the revised guidelines, grocery kiosks can continue selling several categories of products, including:

• Packaged snacks: Biscuits, chips, popcorn, instant noodles and ready-to-eat food.
• Beverages: Railway-approved packaged drinking water, fruit juices, energy drinks and soft drinks.
• Groceries: Rice, wheat, flour, pulses, edible oils, sugar, spices, dry fruits and nuts.
• Dairy and bakery products: Permitted packaged dairy and bakery items.
• Frozen products: Ready-to-cook parathas, cutlets, nuggets and ice cream, subject to storage requirements.
• Daily essentials: Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tissues, diapers, baby-care products, stationery and other utility items.

Ice cream sales will be permitted only when operators use the prescribed medium-sized deep freezer.

Strict Hygiene Rules for Kiosk Operators

Central Railway has also directed operators to comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.

Kiosk owners must maintain cleanliness inside and around their stalls and provide dustbins fitted with garbage bags within approximately one metre of their kiosks.

Railway officials said the standardised product list will help maintain consistent services across stations, strengthen hygiene standards and improve transparency in non-fare revenue collection.

The changes are intended to make essential products easily accessible while ensuring that cooked food and hot beverages are sold only through authorised catering outlets.