Pune: Come 2026, burgers, momos and ice creams of top international brands would be on platter at Pune Junction station.The Pune rail division officials have identified space for these stalls, after the Centre announced last month that established brands would be permitted to open outlets at railway stations. Divisional commercial manager (DCM), Pune, Hemant Kumar Behera told TOI, “Tentatively, we have identified the area towards the second entry of the station along the Raja Bahadur Mills Road to set up these outlets. We will be sending the proposal to the office of the divisional railway manager (DRM) for approval. After the DRM’s consent, the same will go to the Central Railway headquarters in Mumbai. Once the approvals come in, an auction would be conducted to allocate space to the brands for their outlets. At present, it is difficult to say how many and which brands will open shop.”Brands would be allowed to operate either company-owned or franchise stores. “We expect the mentioned processes to take two-three months,” Behera said.Passengers said railways would have to ensure that the delicacies were not too pricey, as was the case at airports. Navin Patki, a regular train passenger, said, “The new branded food outlets are fine, but they shouldn’t turn it into high-priced stalls like those at airports. If that happens, the railway’s plan will fall flat. The authorities must keep a watch on the pricing and put a cap on the same.”He said, “The space being allotted to these stalls should be within the reach of passengers. A passenger will not go all the way to the second entry from platform number one for food. Space should be allotted to them on the platforms or the front circulating area.”Prasad Shakhe, who regularly travels between Pune and Mumbai, said, “Stalls sell different items in the front circulating area of the station, but these don’t appear to be hygienic.”
