KOZHIKODE: The decision of the southern railways to ban food vendors from selling food on the platform from January has invited criticism from rail users. They allege that the railway authorities are trying to help major restaurants functioning on the platforms by banning food vendors. The decision will surely affect hundreds of passengers, especially those travelling in trains without pantry cars. Besides, many others prefer food sold by vendors to the food prepared in the pantry cars following the news about unhygienic preparation of food in the train. -TOI