A vendor selling Janata Khana meal at Dr. MGR Chennai Central station.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Having tasted success with the One Station One product (OSOP) stalls at several railway stations in the city, Southern Railway is planning to promote its Janata Khana scheme for serving passengers in unreserved coaches at an economical price.A. Elumalai, Public Relations Officer of Chennai Division, said that following the success of the OSOP stalls, Southern Railway has introduced the economical meal scheme. “The scheme is mainly for unreserved passengers to purchase meals without leaving the platforms, at an affordable price of ₹20. The meals, sold through vendors, are available at 27 railway stations, including Dr. MGR Chennai Central, Egmore, Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Arakkonam Junction, and Katpadi. The meals are prepared in a hygienic manner,” The OSOP shops, which aim to promote local products by selling healthy agricultural foods along with traditional textiles and handicrafts, have garnered good support from the commuters using the suburban trains.These stalls are in addition to the RO drinking water stalls and restaurants in railway stations. Southern Railway has allowed 84 OSOP stalls to operate in 62 stations across the city. Traditional snacks, Kancheepuram silk saris, and handicraft products are sold in these stalls.In addition to the OSOP and the economical meal scheme, Southern Railway has initiated ‘temporary stalls’ in railway stations where the footfall is high at weekends. The temporary stalls are being tried out in a few crowded stations, Mr. Elumalai added. Transport activist T. Sadagopan said that though OSOP stalls are a good initiative, some stalls remain shut in a few stations of the western section, like the Hindu College and Perambur Loco stations. The closure of the shops has been attributed to security issues and renovation. Published - September 26, 2025 04:30 am IST
