Railway Gives Instructions to Reopen Restaurants & Food-stalls, Bookstalls & Chemist Shops at Stations

On May 21, 2020

New Delhi : After the railways operated labour special trains and special passenger trains, shops of railway stations have now been reopened. The Railway Board has decided to open all the catering units, multipurpose stalls etc. at the stations with immediate effect. As per the order, all the catering and vending units have been opened with immediate effect. Along with this, catering units, vending stalls, bookstalls, multipurpose stalls, medical shops etc. are also being opened with immediate effect.

Railway Board allows opening of catering, vending units at stations pic.twitter.com/eqbblD8voS
— Policenama English (@PolicenamaE) May 21, 2020

Railway Board Director Philip Varghese issued orders for all rail zones, directing them to restart all food stalls at railway stations. Accordingly, all the catering and vending units at railway stations will open with immediate effect. Also, shops, book stalls and chemist shops will open at the stations as before. Restaurants, food plazas will not have facilities for sitting and eating, only take-away will be available.

The order stated that these units include packaged goods, essential goods, medicines shops, book stalls etc., which were closed soon after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. The order stated that necessary guidelines are being taken from the board for opening catering units at railway zone stations. The Railway Board said in the order, “Zonal Railways and IRCTC have been asked to take necessary steps to open all ‘static catering’ and vending units at railway stations with immediate effect. At the food plaza, only refreshments will be allowed (take-away), there will be no arrangement for sitting and eating.”