Ludhiana: As cold wave conditions continue to intensify, food vendors in Ludhiana railway station are struggling to sustain their earnings, with plummeting temperatures severely affecting daily sales. Vendors say the restrictions on using traditional coal-based stoves and electric cookers have made it nearly impossible to serve hot food to passengers during peak winter, further shrinking their already reduced income.Food Turns Cold, Sales CollapseAs day temperature fell over the past week and nights turned colder, vendors complained that food prepared in advance turned cold within half an hour, discouraging passengers from buying meals or snacks.A kulche-chhole cart owner said the severe weather left them with almost no business. “Food turns cold within half an hour after we bring it to the cart. In the biting cold, no one wants to eat cold food,” he said. Earlier, people would buy meals when the weather was manageable, but in the winyer sales nearly dried up, he added.He said vendors were not demanding expensive equipment—only permission for basic arrangements to keep food warm. “Some way to keep the food warm should be allowed by the administration, especially during such extreme weather.”Restrictions add to crisisPraveen Kumar, president of the Ludhiana Vendors Cooperative Society, which represents food sellers at the station, said the restrictions have resulted in massive financial losses. He said repeated requests were submitted to authorities seeking permission for minimal heating devices, including angeethis or electric cookers.However, he said electricity connections have not been allowed because of ongoing upgradation work at the Ludhiana railway station. He added that food vendors have witnessed an 80% drop in sales, leaving many unable to meet daily expenses.‘Reheating at dhaba not practical’Another vendor, Naveen Sharma, said the system currently available to reheat food is impractical. The cooperative society runs a dhaba within the station where vendors can get food warmed, but the process is time-consuming.“The food gets cold very quickly, especially since we use steel utensils,” he said. “Within half an hour, it becomes unfit to serve. I have to go to the dhaba to get it warmed, but I cannot keep leaving my cart repeatedly.” He said there is also a waiting line at the dhaba because many vendors face the same problem.As a result, he has reduced the quantity of food he prepares each day. “Earlier, I would prepare enough stock, but now I make much less because I don’t want to waste food. My work has reduced, and income has dropped sharply.”Passengers also complainVendors said passengers frequently object to being served cold food. “People complain and simply walk away. We try to explain our situation, but in this weather, nobody wants to compromise,” one vendor said.Earlier, railway officials had stated there were no orders from the railway headquarters allowing such heating arrangements because of safety concerns.MSID:: 126800306 413
