Western Railway Issues Denial After Report Claims Maharashtra FDA Shut 22 Railway Food Stalls in Mumbai Due to Hygiene Lapses

Western Railway has issued a denial after a report claimed that the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), in a joint operation with the Commercial Department of Western Railway, had shut 22 railway food stalls across Mumbai over serious hygiene and quality lapses. Western Railway said the claim was “misleading and factually incorrect” and clarified that no such closures had taken place.

The clarification came after an NDTV report claimed that 11 food stalls at Bandra station and others at Grant Road, Lower Parel, Charni Road and Marine Lines had been ordered to shut following inspections. The reports cited alleged violations including poor-quality food, unclean premises and missing medical certificates for food handlers. Maharashtra FDA Shut 22 Railway Food Stalls in Mumbai Due to Hygiene Lapses? Western Railway Fact Check Calls Claim Misleading.

Western Railway Issues Denial After Report Claims Maharashtra FDA Shut 22 Railway Food Stalls

FACT CHECK ⚠️ | This post is misleading

A NDTV post claiming that 22 railway food stalls, including 11 at Bandra station, have been shut by Maharashtra FDA, due to hygiene lapses is misleading and factually incorrect.

No such closures have taken place. The food stalls at… https://t.co/E0MO5yOZzE pic.twitter.com/31nwBL4ss6

— Western Railway (@WesternRly) August 19, 2026

Western Railway Calls Claim Misleading

On X, Western Railway said, "No such closures have taken place. The food stalls at stations are regularly monitored and maintained with routine hygiene, cleanliness and maintenance measures being carried out to ensure proper standards. Passengers and the public are requested to rely on official Western Railway channels for verified information and avoid circulating misleading claims."

The railway authority's statement directly contradicts the claim that 22 stalls were shut as part of an FDA enforcement operation.

Viral Claim Mentioned 11 Bandra Stalls

The report that triggered the clarification alleged that Bandra station saw the largest action, with 11 stalls reportedly ordered closed. It further claimed that shutdowns had been carried out at Grant Road, Lower Parel, Charni Road and Marine Lines. However, Western Railway has denied that any such closures took place. The railway authority also reiterated that food stalls at its stations are subject to regular monitoring, hygiene checks and maintenance measures.

Reports Cited Inspections And Food Safety Violations

The reports circulating online claimed that inspections had uncovered several food safety violations.

These allegedly included poor-quality preparations of items such as chole and samosas, unclean stall premises and the absence of valid medical certificates for food handlers.

However, in its fact-check response, Western Railway did not confirm the reported closures and described the claim as misleading and factually incorrect.

Claims Of 1,523 Railway Inspections

The reports also stated that Western Railway had conducted 1,523 routine and surprise inspections across its network between January and July.

According to the reports, 22 stalls were penalised for violations, with fines totalling INR 1,14,000 imposed on vendors during that period.

These reported figures should be distinguished from the separate claim that 22 stalls were shut. Western Railway's denial specifically states that no such closures have taken place.

Separate Action Against Mumbai Eateries

The reports also referred to separate FDA action against hotels, clubs and eateries across Mumbai. According to the reports, the licences of six establishments in Bandra, Dahisar, Khar, Vile Parle, Marol and Chembur were suspended over alleged food safety violations.

The reported violations included the alleged use of adulterated paneer, expired ingredients, signs of pest infestation and unhygienic conditions. These alleged actions involving standalone eateries are separate from the disputed claim concerning railway food stalls.

Western Railway urged passengers and the public to rely on its official channels for verified information and avoid circulating misleading claims. The clarification is particularly relevant as claims involving food safety and closures can quickly spread online and create confusion among commuters.

For now, Western Railway's official position is that the claim that Maharashtra FDA shut 22 railway food stalls in Mumbai, including 11 at Bandra station, is misleading and factually incorrect.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 19, 2026 12:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).