The 12289/90 Mumbai CSMT-Nagpur Duronto Express has been plagued by unauthorized vendors supplying food to passengers, following the expiration of the authorized food service contract on August 30, 2024. Basant Kumar Shukla, Secretary of the Bhartiya Yatri Kendra, has raised the issue with railway authorities, expressing concerns over passenger safety and unregulated food services.
In a letter to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Nagpur Division, Shukla stated, “For the past 20 days, unauthorized vendors have been providing food on train number 12289/90 Mumbai Nagpur Duronto Express.” He also referred to a previous food poisoning incident on the Yeshwantpur-Gorakhpur Express three months ago, for which no action was taken against the vendors.
Shukla further highlighted concerns about inflated prices being charged by these unauthorized vendors. The previous tender for food services on the Duronto Express was temporarily awarded to M/s PS Enterprises of Nagpur, valid from May 31, 2024, to August 30, 2024. He urged railway authorities to take immediate and strict action against the unauthorized vendors to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers.