Ludhiana railway station inspection: Unauthorised vendors sent packing for a day

Unauthorised vendors at the Ludhiana railway station took ‘leave’ on Friday from daily business for fear of an inspection by senior railway officials. It seems authorities sent them packing for the day.

Unauthorised vendors at the Ludhiana railway station took ‘leave’ on Friday from daily business for fear of an inspection by senior railway officials. It seems authorities sent them packing for the day.

Authorities were expecting an inspection by Seema Dhir, chief commercial manager, Northern Railways. (HT File Photo)

However, the check did not materialise. Authorities were expecting an inspection by Seema Dhir, chief commercial manager, Northern Railways.

Even as officials remained tight-lipped about the situation, insiders said these vendors were asked to go elsewhere to earn their daily bread.

Authorities were on their toes throughout the day, making special arrangements for the inspection.

Officials were spotted waiting for Dhir at the main gate of platform 1 at around 10.15am, while safai karamcharis scrubbed the platform clean.

Dhir arrived but did not get out of her car. She picked the food contractor RK Associate for an inspection and visited Shivaji Nagar with divisional traffic manager SP Bhatia, the commercial inspector and other officials. RK Associate serves food on trains.

She, however, said she will return in an hour. Few vendors were seen roaming around on platform 1 discussing the official’s return.

After Dhir returned, she said she will conduct a check after lunch. An official said the inspection might finally happen tomorrow.