Pune Railway Station Food Upgrade: Branded Outlets Planned, Passengers Demand Affordable Meals
Plans to introduce branded food outlets at Pune railway station are currently in the early tendering stage, but passengers are already voicing strong demands for more dining establishments that serve complete meals rather than just snacks and fast food. The station, which handles over 1.6 lakh passengers daily, faces criticism for its current food offerings, which many travelers find inadequate for their needs.
Current Food Landscape at the Station
Although several food stalls operate within the station premises, the majority focus on snacks or fast food items. Currently, only two outlets provide proper meals, with one of them being considered expensive by many passengers. The Jan Aahar outlet offers affordable vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis, while a previously available Food Plaza has been closed for nearly a month following a fire incident last month. Railway officials confirmed the Food Plaza remains shut pending an inquiry into the fire.
"A few places serve items like biryani, but there is a clear need for simple, affordable meal options," explained one passenger, highlighting the gap in the current food service provision.
Passenger Perspectives and Demands
Passengers from various backgrounds have expressed their concerns about the limited meal options. One traveler from Bihar, who works in Ranjangaon, shared his experience: "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."
Railway activist Vikas Deshpande emphasized that "a majority of passengers are from humble backgrounds and are blue-collar workers. The Railways should consider opening facilities for them."
Railway Officials' Response and Future Plans
Hemant Kumar Behera, divisional commercial manager and PRO of Pune rail division, provided details about the planned improvements. "Branded food outlets are indeed planned for Pune railway station, but the process will take time due to tendering and regulatory requirements," he stated. Four railway stations under the Pune division—including Pune, Akurdi, Miraj, and Sainagar Shirdi—are scheduled to receive such upgraded food facilities.
At present, the station's food infrastructure includes:
- Approximately 10 stalls in the main circulating area
- A Jan Aahar outlet on platform 1
- A Haldiram outlet on platform 1
- 12 smaller stalls spread across platforms and other areas
These existing stalls sell various items including tea, vada pav, biryani, Chinese dishes, chole bhature, and puri bhaji. However, passengers continue to call for more options that offer proper meals at cheaper rates, reflecting the diverse needs of the station's substantial daily passenger traffic.
