KOCHI: With the RPF (Railway Protection Force) all set to implement the ban on non-railway vendors selling food-stuff inside and outside the train, passengers and authorities are debating the pros and cons of the order.This means that those wanting to buy food would have to actually go to the stalls on the railway station to buy it. This is worrying passengers and even officials who see a high chance of people getting hurt, trying to rush in and out of the train.“It’s very difficult to get out of the train, buy food and come back in a few minutes when the train stops. This arrangement is more difficult for women than men, and especially those who would be travelling alone,” noted Farida Ali Aslam, a passenger. “If it’s a question of security, let the vendors not enter the train but selling items through the window should be okay,” she suggested.A highly-placed RPF official agreed that the problem was a genuine one.“But we (RPF authorities) have no option but to implement the order given to us,” he said. “Although the ban has been brought in with a view to give more security to passengers, it is equally true that the hurried disembarking and boarding might pose a serious safety issue,” he added.But other officials view the order differently, and believe that it will help the passengers in the long run. “Security is more important than food,” said Railway SP Rajan John. “This ban has been implemented so that passengers can be safe from anti-social elements who get into the trains, disguising themselves as vendors or beggars,” he noted.He also opined that it was up to the passengers to be careful while getting off and on the train. “The best solution is to bring one’s own food and water while travelling. That way no one would have to step out of the train to buy food,” he added.Countering this opinion P Rajeev, MP said, “Bringing in such a ban is not going to benefit anybody, least of all the regular passenger. If the railways are so keen on the security of its passengers,they should ensure vendors carry licences, instead of introducing a complete ban. Also, they will have to implement more food stalls in the platforms, which they are not likely to do.“In Thrissur and Palakkad areas, strict action against vendors has been implemented in the past, but the railways have not increased the food stalls. The Railways argue that vendors as such are not needed because most trains are equipped with pantry cars. “At least 95 per cent of the long distance trains have been provided with pantry cars. It is only the overnight trains that do not have these services. Besides, there are pre-ordering catering services in every station and passengers can make use of these services,” counter railway officials.But passengers who usually travel complain that these services are not always present.Nandini M said,“Usually in the general and women’s compartments, the pantry services are not available. Besides, food provided by the railways is of extremely cheap quality.”P Rajeev M P plans to bring up this issue to the notice of the Railway Minister who is arriving in Thiruvanathapuram on September 19.
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