Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the surge in crowd during the Puja season and anticipated escalation in intrusion of unauthorised vendors on trains in the East Coast Railway (ECoR) jurisdiction, the railway officials have vowed to check the menace.
The railway zone has planned to target the menace of unathorised hawking by different vendors in railway platforms and trains. The department has directed the officials from the Commercial Department and also roped in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for the anti-hawking drive especially during the puja season.
An official from the Public Relations Department in the ECoR said, “In view of the Durga Puja rush, it is generally seen that unauthorised hawkers sell edibles, books and toys on the trains. The number of passengers travelling by trains for family tours and for vacations, is on the rise in the Puja season and this may prompt many vendors to choose trains as their vending place.”
He also added that the railway zone is conducting special surprise drives to get rid of this menace as many of these hawkers do not have license or permit to engage in selling goods on trains or at the platforms.
The department has also tightened security to weed out the possibilities of threat from anti-social elements and thwart attempts of theft, chain pulling and other crimes related to railways.
The ECoR, in a media release said, “The threat and possibility of the presence of anti-social elements among hawkers is also a cause of concern for the officials. Many chain-snatchers and thieves board the train in the guise of hawkers and target the passengers. Robbing valuables from passengers is sometimes repeated in trains and this is a matter of concern for the Railways.”
According to the department, officials have also been advised to intensify action against beggars boarding the train and entering the railway station premise. The beggars are being removed from the railway station premises.
ECoR has also urged passengers to provide their support for eradicating unauthorised hawking and beggars from trains by discouraging the hawkers. Public cooperation in removing hawkers will provide a better environment in trains and stations and give a pleasant journey experience.