**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4393 regarding unauthorized railway station hawkers, the Ministry of Railways clarifies its position and provides relevant data. The Ministry, headed by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, states that catering services at railway stations are provided through static catering units. The sale of catering and other miscellaneous items is restricted to authorized vendors/waiters deployed by licensees of mobile and static units. Unauthorized hawking and vending within passenger areas are strictly prohibited under Section 144 of the Railways Act, 1989, and are subject to penalties. Indian Railways conducts regular drives against such activities in accordance with the law. Over the past five years, Indian Railways has collected a total license fee of Rs. 1292.57 crores from licensees of static catering units at stations. The response does not provide a state-wise breakdown of authorized platform hawkers or revenue collected from them, as the focus is on static catering units and the prohibition of unauthorized vending. The question regarding the illegal occupation of station premises by unauthorized hawkers is addressed by reiterating the prohibition and enforcement measures against such activities.
Key Entities Referenced
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
RAILWAYS: The ministry being addressed in the parliamentary question.
DR. SHARMILA SARKAR: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, responsible for answering the question.
Indian Railways: The railway network of India, which is the subject of the policy.
Railways Act, 1989: The legal act under which unauthorized hawking is punishable.
Section 144: Specific section of the Railways Act, 1989 pertaining to offences.
static catering units: Designated locations at railway stations from which catering services are provided.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4393
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
UNAUTHORIZED RAILWAY STATION HAWKERS
4393. DR. SHARMILA SARKAR:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of authorised platform hawkers and the revenue
collected from them during the last five years, State-wise;
(b) whether it is a fact that a large number of so-called authorized hawkers
have illegally occupied station premises with the support of local
leaders/railway staff/police/otherwise and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the relevant statistics and the current status?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): Catering services at stations are made available to passengers
through static catering units. Sale of catering and other miscellaneous items
of travelling needs is permitted only through authorized vendors/waiters
deployed by licensees of mobile and static units.
Unauthorized hawking and vending in the passenger area is prohibited on
Indian Railways. It is an offence punishable under Section - 144 of Railways
Act, 1989. Regular drives are conducted against any such activities in
accordance with legal provisions and established procedure of law.
During the last five years, Indian Railways have received a total license fee
of Rs.1292.57 crores from licensees of static catering units at stations.
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