Maligaon (Guwahati), August 21 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railways has realised fines amounting to Rs. 10.30 lakhs during an intensive catering inspection period from August 1-15, an official informed today. A total of 342 unauthorised vendors were also apprehended, out of which 207 sent to judicial custody. A three-week long intensive inspection drive was launched on N.F.Railway as per the directives of the Railway Minister, the Zone CPRO PJ Sharma stated in a press release. Officials from Commercial, Medical, Mechanical and Electrical department jointly conducted the drive. Railway Magistrates along with RPF and GRP personnel were also actively participated to nab and prosecute unauthorised vendors, it said. Among others, during the inspection 27 pairs of trains having pantry car services were checked and Seven Base Kitchens were inspected, it added. Three of them them (Katihar, New Coochbehar and Dibrugarh) were upgraded and one (at Guwahati) was closed due to poor infrastructure, the release said. It further maintained that during the same period, 28 Refreshment Rooms were checked and inspected and deficiencies have been addressed; Four Food Plazas and two Food Courts were also inspected; Three Jan Aahaars and eight Milk Parlours were also inspected; and All Tea Stalls were inspected. Only one catering related complaint was registered through various modes like CPGRAMS, COMS etc and it was disposed by imposing a fine of Rs. 20,000, it maintained. The NFR has also handed over the catering services of the New Jalpaiguri – Howrah – New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express to IRCTC during the inspection period. Other trains like Jan-Shatbdi and Purvottor Sampark Kranti Express will also to be handed over shortly to IRCTC. Divisions have been instructed to ensure cleanliness, sanitization and rectification of any Electrical or Mechanical deficiencies in Pantry car, the release informed adding that the field Units have been instructed to continuously monitor catering service in real time basis.
