Nagpur Division of Central Railway has reported the highest number of cases against unauthorised hawkers, leading all five divisions — Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Bhusawal, and Nagpur — in enforcement activity. A total of 4,365 cases were registered in Nagpur alone, far exceeding the numbers recorded by other divisions.
Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, Central Railway launched sustained drives aimed at curbing unauthorised hawking and touting across its network. The campaign focused on improving passenger safety, maintaining order at stations, and ensuring a secure travel experience.
During this period, 6,266 unauthorised hawkers were caught and handed over to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for prosecution under Section 144 of the Railways Act. In addition, seven individuals were booked under Section 143 for engaging in touting activities.
Here’s the division-wise breakdown of hawking cases:
- Nagpur: 4,365
- Bhusawal: 1,151
- Pune: 474
- Solapur: 148
- Mumbai: 128
The data has sparked mixed reactions. Satish Yadav, former member of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC), questioned whether such high figures reflect poor enforcement rather than effective action. “Should the highest number of cases be seen as a positive or a negative? A higher count might actually suggest lack of proactive deterrence,” he remarked.
However, railway officials defended the figures, stating that coordinated operations have played a vital role in improving vigilance and discouraging unauthorised commercial activity at railway premises.
Reaffirming its stance, the Central Railway administration stated that it will continue regular inspections, strict enforcement, and collaboration with RPF and commercial departments to ensure public safety and order.
“We urge passengers not to engage with unauthorised hawkers or purchase tickets from touts,” said Aman Mittal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (SrDCM). “Doing so may invite legal consequences and compromise safety. Public cooperation is key to maintaining a secure and hassle-free travel environment,” he added.
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