Central Railway has standardised the products that can be sold at grocery kiosks across its divisions, allowing packaged essentials and personal-care items while banning cooked food, tea and coffee at these outlets. The move is intended to improve hygiene, provide passengers with clearer retail options and curb unauthorised vending at railway stations.
The guidelines were introduced as part of the Special Cleanliness Campaign 6.0. Central Railway has awarded contracts for the kiosks under its Non-Fare Revenue initiative, which seeks to create authorised commercial facilities on railway premises while giving passengers access to daily-use and household products during their journeys.
The permitted list includes staples such as rice, wheat, pulses, flour, edible oils, sugar, salt, spices and dry fruits. Kiosks may also sell packaged drinking water from railway-approved brands, juices, energy drinks and soft drinks. Packaged snacks, including biscuits, popcorn and chips, are included, along with instant noodles, ready-to-eat food, sauces, jams and pickles.
Dairy and bakery products are also permitted. The list allows ready-to-cook frozen products such as parathas, cutlets and nuggets, as well as ice cream stored in medium-sized deep freezers. These provisions distinguish packaged and frozen products from cooked food prepared or served at the kiosk.
Personal-care and hygiene products permitted for sale include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, detergent, tissues, napkins and toilet paper. Baby products such as diapers, baby food and wipes are included, along with pet food, pet-care products, stationery and small utility items. The expanded product range is aimed at making the kiosks useful for passengers seeking everyday essentials rather than only refreshments.
Central Railway has explicitly prohibited kiosk operators from selling cooked food, tea and coffee. The administration said the restriction would establish uniform rules for vendors across stations and help prevent outlets from operating beyond the terms of their contracts.
Operators must comply with regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and maintain cleanliness inside and around their stalls. They are also required to provide dustbins with garbage bags within a radius of about one metre of each kiosk. The requirement places waste collection directly within the operating area of the authorised outlet.
The railway administration said the standardised list would help passengers access branded products and household items at reasonable prices while supporting cleaner station premises. It also forms part of Central Railway’s effort to strengthen non-fare revenue through transparent commercial facilities and reduce unauthorised vending.
The announcement was issued by Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway. The new operating conditions will apply to grocery kiosks covered by the contracts awarded under the Non-Fare Revenue initiative.
