Passengers demand affordable full-meal options at Pune railway station amid limited choices

Pune: Plans to introduce branded food outlets at Pune railway station are still in the early tendering stage, but passengers are already calling for more outlets that serve full meals instead of just snacks and fast food. The station handles over 1.6 lakh passengers daily, many of whom feel the current food options are inadequate.Although several food stalls operate at the station, most offer snacks or fast food, with only two outlets providing proper meals, one of which is considered expensive."The Jan Aahar outlet offers affordable veg and non-veg thalis, while a previously available Food Plaza has been shut for nearly a month. A few places serve items like biryani, but there is a need for simple, affordable meal options," a passenger said.Railway officials said the Food Plaza was closed following a fire last month and remains shut pending an inquiry."Branded food outlets are planned, but the process will take time due to tendering and regulatory requirements. Four railway stations under Pune division, including Pune, Akurdi, Miraj and Sainagar Shirdi, will have such outlets," Hemant Kumar Behera, divisional commercial manager and PRO of Pune rail division, told TOI.At present, the station has around 10 stalls in the main circulating area in addition to a Jan Aahar outlet and a Haldiram outlet on platform 1. Additionally, 12 smaller stalls are spread across platforms and other areas, selling items such as tea, vada pav, biryani, Chinese dishes, chole bhature, and puri bhaji."Food is available, but we need more options that offer proper meals at a cheaper rate. We hail from Bihar and work in Ranjangaon. We came to the station in the morning hours for a train that leaves late in the evening. Most of the food outlets do not serve proper meals, and we cannot afford to buy from expensive places," said a passenger at the railway station."A majority of passengers are from humble backgrounds and are blue-collar workers. The Railways should consider opening facilities for them," said Vikas Deshpande, a railway activist.