Central Railway Food Price Hike: Vada Pav, Samosa, Dosa to Cost More at Stations From June 1

Passengers travelling through Central Railway stations across Maharashtra and nearby regions will have to spend more on snacks and fast-food items from June 1, after railway authorities approved a revised pricing structure for catering stalls operating at stations.

Under the updated rates, prices of several popular food items including vada pav, samosa, dosa, idli and pav bhaji have been increased at minor static catering units managed by Central Railway. The revision comes as authorities cite rising operational and input costs in the catering business.

According to the revised menu issued by Central Railway, an aloo vada will now cost ₹15, while pav will be sold separately at ₹5, taking the effective price of a vada pav to ₹20. Veg samosa, veg puff and sabudana vada have each been priced at ₹20. Meanwhile, masala dosa will now cost ₹35 and a serving of two idlis with sambar and chutney has been fixed at ₹30.

Other food items have also witnessed upward revisions. Pav bhaji and veg pizza will now be available at ₹50, while sandwiches and packaged snacks may also see revised rates depending on station categories and stall operations.

The new pricing structure was approved through a circular issued by the Office of the Chief Commercial Manager (Claims & Catering) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai. The circular has been forwarded to multiple railway divisions including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Solapur and Bhusaval for implementation from June 1.

However, not all food items have become costlier. Railway authorities have retained existing prices for selected items such as misal pav, kachori and certain beverages. Officials said the revisions were made after reviewing prevailing market prices, raw material costs and vendor operating expenses.

Central Railway has also instructed catering operators to maintain food quality and hygiene standards despite the price increase. Vendors have been directed to prominently display updated bilingual rate charts at all stalls to ensure transparency for passengers. Railway officials are expected to carry out regular inspections to prevent overcharging and monitor service quality.

The latest move is likely to impact lakhs of daily commuters and long-distance passengers who depend on station food stalls for affordable meals and snacks during travel. Popular items such as vada pav and samosa are among the most commonly purchased foods at railway stations in Mumbai and across the Central Railway network.

The price revision comes at a time when food inflation and higher operating costs continue to affect the broader hospitality and catering sector across India.

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