Luxury train travel in India: Gilded and garlanded on my transport of delight
We Indians totally agree with the fact that we love travelling and the journey becomes more memorable if we travel via train. You will be amazed to know that now you can travel from Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari which covers a total distance of 4286 Km from Vivek Express and this is known as the longest train journey. If we talk about the shortest train journey then in Maharashtra the distance from Nagpur to Ajni is just 3 Km and it takes only 9 minutes to reach the desired railway station.
From Wes Anderson
and Danny Boyle to Michael Palin and Paul Theroux, Indian Railways have
entranced dreamers, intrigued authors and inspired filmmakers. That's
because there's no other railway like them on Earth.
Indian Railways are very aptly called the lifeline of
India...considered to the most safe and reliable mode of transport which
as has served the nation for the past 150 years. Indian Railways is
also a major employer of the country as it provides jobs to 1.6 million
people.
Some notable achievements of Indian railways which can be lauded are
- Providing transport links through 63,140 routes, it is one of the largest railway system in the world
- A wide fleet with 7800 locomotives, 40,000 coaches, 3,26,000
wagons, 9 pairs of Rajdhani and 13 pair of Shatabdi Express currently
operated on almost daily basis.
- Indian Railways operates 11,000 trains, and transports more
than 1 million tonnes freight regularly. Amongst 11.000 trains, 7000
trains are used by people for commuting purposes.
- The classes of travel available on Indian Railways are 1st
AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, AC Chair Car, IInd Sleeper and IInd Ordinary Class.
The Indian railways came into existence long back in 1853 on 16 April. Its first passenger train ran between Mumbai’s Bori Bandar to Thane, covering 34 kilometres. The train was operated by three locomotives called Sahib, Sultan and Sindh. The train had 30 wagons.
The mascot for Indian Railways is Bholu, an elephant guard designed by the National Institute of Design Bholu the guard elephant is the mascot of the Indian Railways. Bholu was designed by the National Institute of Design in 2002 in honour of the 150th anniversary of the Indian Railways. Bholu is seen holding a signal lamp with a green light in it, which symbolises movement, assurance to trains and passengers to go ahead without fear.
The famous Fairy Queen is the world’s oldest working locomotive that is still in use. Manufactured way back in 1855, the Fairy Queen was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest steam locomotive in regular service. The Fairy Queen was interestingly given heritage status in 1972 by the Indian government, giving it the status of a national treasure.
Indian Railways has surely kept up the pace with the revolution in
information technology. You can easily check out loads of information
about Indian Railways, their achievements, records and statistics as
well. Indian Railways Online is definitely a marvelous surprise as apart
from this information you can get your train tickets booked, canceled
as well. You can know the train status, its scheduled as well current
arrival and departure times as well, its availability status and other
vital information as well.
Home to ancient toy trains, royal trains, Mumbai's infamous passenger
trains, the new Duronto Express speed trains and even a hospital on
wheels, I knew the Indian Railways would have a few tales to tell.
Taking a page out of Jules Verne's classic tale, I decided to travel
Around India in 80 Trains with Norwegian photographer Harald Haugan in
tow, and write a book about the adventure.
With the most number of platforms, Howrah Junction is the busiest railway station of Indian Railways. Its 23 platforms handle over 1 million passengers daily. Also, Howrah is the oldest railway station in India.
Mettupalayam Ooty Nilgiri Passenger train is the slowest train in India, running at a speed of 10 kmph, which is roughly 16 times slower than the fastest train in India. The train covers 46 km in about 5 hours, which is due to the train operating in a hilly area. The scenic view offered makes up for the speed of the train.
Did you know the longest rail tunnel in India is Pir Pranjal, located in the Pir Pranjal range of the middle Himalayas in Jammu Kashmir? It is 11.25 kilometres in length. The tunnel is part of the Jammu- Baramulla railway line.
In 1986, Indian Railways started its first computerised reservation in New Delhi. Before the computerised era, Indian railways followed the traditional manual registry entry method, which resulted in passengers standing in queues for hours at a stretch.
Trains travel is considered most comfortable mode of
transports in India and also the finest medium to see India at ground level.
Even long distances such as Delhi to Mumbai can be covered with ease through
trains by using sleeper class berth and you will not get tired. Besides,
train travel is safe and cheap as you have to pay a reasonable fare.
Longest and Shortest Train Ride
In India, you can take the longest train ride from Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh with Vivek Express. It covers 4189 kilometres with 56 stops in 82 hours and 30 minutes. Whereas, it is a fun fact that the shortest train ride in India can be taken from Nagpur to Ajni, covering only 3 kilometres.
Maintained and run by
Indian Railways the trains in India connect almost all the state capitals
and other important cities and towns of the country. In fact, for tourists
no visit to India would be complete without the experience of travelling on
trains.
For travelling across India,
Indian Railways have a variety of trains including fast, superfast, express
and local trains. Passengers choose the trains according to their
requirements and budget. Shatabdi and Rajadhani are two high-class trains,
running at an speed over 100 km per hour, having all Air-conditioned
coaches. Besides, there are hundreds of superfast and express trains running
across the country. For short distance the Indian Railways run local
passanger trains.
Contrary to popular belief, the first train in India was the Red Hill Railway, which ran from Red Hills to Chintadripet bridge in 1837. Sir Arthur Cotton was credited with building the train, which was mainly used for transporting granite.
Mathura Junction railway station, MTJ is one of the crucial railway stations because of its religious value and vast rail connectivity to different cities. At Mathura junction, 7 railway lines emerge, the maximum railway route from a single location.
Whatever Railways earn, it spends 94% on running trains and its smooth functioning. For example, if it earns 1 rupee, it spends 94 paise on operating trains. It is also a major concern for the Railway Ministry as it doesn’t save much of its earnings.
The New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi is currently India’s fastest train, reaching a maximum speed of 150 kmph. However, railway minister Piyush Goyal announced that the newly launched Train 18, manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai can reach speeds as high as 200 kpmh.
Moutain Railways - Mountain Railways is an special
attraction of Indian Railway and also the most convenient way to visit the
hill stations of India. Developed by the British government about 100 years
back, during their rule over India, Mountain Railways now served as the main
mode of transport to hilly areas. Travelling on mountain rail is a thrilling
experience, as you get a wonderful chance to see the beautiful green
countryside and other amazing wonders of nature. In fact, three of the
Mountain Railways namely Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain
Railway and Kalka – Shimla Railway have been declared World heritage
properties by UNESCO.
Spend time looking out the windows or carriage door. The ever changing
landscape provides a rare and hassle free view everyday life in India.
The Vivek Express, running between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari, covers 4,286 km in around 82 hours and 30 minutes. This journey is not just the longest in India, but in the entire subcontinent.
If you're the talkative type, you won't have a shortage of people to
chat to. Finding out as much information as possible about their
traveling companions is the number one way that Indians pass the time on
these train trips. By western standards, their questions can be quite
intrusive. You should feel free to ask the same questions back. Your
companions will be pleased you've taken an interest in them and you may
receive some fascinating answers.
The first electric train in India ran on 3 February 1925, between Bombay Victoria Terminal and Kurla Harbour. Later, the electric line was extended to Nashik's Igatpuri district and then to Pune.
In Nagpur, there is a diamond crossing; Railways itself has given this name to the crossing. Two railway tracks, going towards North-South and another two lines, going towards East-West making a square-like shape called diamond crossing. It is a widely used crossing; railway staff need to be attentive to operate it.
India’s first passenger train started its service 166 years ago on 16 April 1853, covering a stretch of 33 km from Mumbai to Thane. The train carried 400 passengers. Interestingly, this day was also declared a public holiday.
On 21 August 1847, The Great Indian Peninsula Railway, along with The East India Company, constructed a 56 km railway line which formed a part of the line connecting Bombay with Khandesh and Berar. James John Berkeley was appointed as the Chief Resident Engineer. This railway line was used for India's first passenger railway, with the original opening in 1853.
Be prepared to go to bed early. Indians love to sleep when they have
nothing better to do and most people will start retiring for the night
around 9.30 p.m.
Mathura junction is the largest railway junction in India, with as many as 7 routes emerging from this station. Mathura junction also has 10 platforms, with connectivity to all major cities of India.
The Maharaja’s Express is the most expensive luxury train in India and is also among the most expensive in Asia. Over a course of 8 days, the Maharaja Express takes its guests over some of the most prominent tourist destinations in India, including the Taj Mahal, the Khajuraho temples, Ranthambhore, Fatehpur Sikri and the bathing Ghats of Varanasi. Pricing starts at $ 800 for a deluxe cabin. The most expensive ticket of the presidential suite sets you back a whopping $ 2,500.
Bori Bunder, located in Mumbai was the first railway station in India. India’s first passenger train ran from Bori Bunder to Thane in 1853. It was built by the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. This station was rebuilt as Victoria Terminus later in 1888, named after Queen Victoria.
Railways employ approx 1.4 million people in India. It is a fact that the Indian Railway is one of the world’s largest employers’ companies and institutions. Apart from this direct employment, several people earn a livelihood through railways by selling goods and services at the stations and trains. E-catering and rail apps that provide rail services also generate job opportunities. One station One Product is another initiative to utilise the railway as a marketplace to boost people’s livelihood.
Indian Railway proudly owns 5 luxury trains that provide ultimate comfort and royal feeling to the passengers. These super luxury trains give the feeling of a 5-star hotel because they have all top-notch facilities like bars, restaurants, cafes, laundry services, spa services etc. If you want to experience a royal feeling while travelling on a train then you should travel on these trains once in your life. The name of these luxury trains is mentioned below.
The Maharaja’s Express
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
Palace on Wheels
The Golden Chariot
The Deccan Odyssey
Do you know that Indian Railways proudly owns 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites? This is a very proud thing for our country that India Railways is popular all over the world. The popular world heritage sites are Kalka Shimla Railway (2008), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2005), Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (2004).
Railways are known as the best mode of transportation if you are travelling on a long route because it provides ultimate comfort to the passenger. The Railway network is very vast because they have a network of about 7,112 stations spread over a route length of 66,687 km with a fleet of 11,122 locomotives, 70,241 passenger coaches, and 2,54,000 wagons. Being a prime mode of transportation, a large number of people prefer Indian Railways for all kinds of travelling purposes. Indian Railways is the largest public sector undertaking in the country. Hence, railways play a very important role in national integration and the growth and development of our country by introducing high technology and superfast trains every year.
Indian Railways is considered to have a 169-year-old heritage.
The first passenger train in India ran between Mumbai’s Bori Bandar and Thane, which covered an area of about 34 kilometres.
Bholu, which is an elephant dressed as a railway guard, is considered the mascot of the Indian Railways.
It was in 2002 that the mascot came into existence when the National Institute of Design crafted it on the 150th anniversary of railways.
India’s railway system is the fourth largest railway network, followed by the US, Russia, and China.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka Shimla Railway are the four UNESCO world heritage sites owned by Indian Railways.
The Indian Railways is considered to have 34 operational and 3 under-construction rail museums, heritage galleries, and art galleries that showcase its vast history as the nation’s transportation lifeline.
With an area of about 1,366 meters in length, India’s railway system is considered to have the world’s longest platform, situated at Gorakhpur station.
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Palace on Wheels, The Golden Chariot, The Maharajas Express, and the Deccan Odyssey are the five royal trains owned by the Indian Railways.
Mathura Junction, also known as the MTJ, is considered one of India’s most important railway stations because the maximum number of routes emerge from it.
The railway spends approximately 94% of its earnings on running trains and their smooth operation.
The Diamond Crossing in Nagpur is from where the trains go to the east, west, north, and south.
The Indian Railway is building the world’s tallest rail arch bridge using steel and concrete to cross the Chenab River.
With employing approximately 1.4 million in India, the railway is considered the largest employer in the country.
With 23 platforms that handle over 1 million passengers daily, Howrah Junction is considered the busiest railway station.
Electric lights, fans, and outlets in train cars in India run on 110 volts, whereas in the home they only use 220 volts.
There are a total of ten different classes of travel on the Indian Railways, which are categorized as 1AC, 2AC, 3AC, 3AE, EC, CC, FC, SL, 2S, and IIUR.
The Shatabdi Express is India’s fastest-running train, travelling at a top speed of about 150 kilometres per hour.
Indian Railways launched the Red Ribbon Express, a public awareness campaign train, on December 1, 2007, World AIDS Day.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the New Delhi Railway Station interlocking system is considered the world’s largest route delay system.
The Oldest Working Indian Locomotive, known as Fairy Queen, still functions as a passenger train between Delhi and Alwar.
Pir Panjal, which is located in the middle Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, is the longest rail tunnel in India.
Ahmednagar, Srirampur, and Belapur railway stations are located on opposite tracks of the same station.
Do you know Bholu? If you don’t know him then let me tell you that he is an Indian Railway “Shubhankar” or mascot and his name is Bholu. It is a cartoon of holding a lamp and well-dressed in a railway guard uniform. This mascot was designed for Indian Railway for their 150th-anniversary commemoration event and was officially accepted in 2003 as the permanent mascot of the Indian Railway. Bholu the cartoon elephant gives us the message of being responsible, sincere and stable.
Indian Railways has its own history that defines the arrival and growth of railways in our country. The Indian Railway is not new to us because its foundation was laid during the British Empire period. The history of Indian Railways started 160 years ago on 16th April 1853. Do you know which was the first train and how much distance they covered? On the 16th of April 1853, the first passenger train was introduced and that train ran between Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane by covering a distance of 34 km. The train was operated by three locomotives Sahib, Sultan and Sindh respectively.
The seeds of the Indian Railway were sown in the British colonial period as Lord Dalhousie in 1843 had conceived the possibility of opening up an Indian Railway network all over the country. We all know that Lord Dalhousie served as the Governor-General of India from the year 1848 to 1856 and he is regarded as the Father of Indian Railways. In India, a large number of people depend on Indian Railways for their travelling purposes but still, they don’t know about the interesting Indian Railways facts.
We, Indians, are so fascinated with our railway’s transport system. The Indian Railway network doesn’t only connect different locations, but it touches our hearts beyond any race, religion, caste, gender, or class. The tangled railway lines unite Indians in one thread. It perfectly represents the vision of our constitution makers that says there should be no discrimination on anyone’s background.
Railways carry all of us, give us space to know more about others, know nature and explore different places. But do you know the carrier of people and freight is also loaded with amazing facts? You will be surprised to learn that more than 1.3 million IRCTC train tickets are booked daily and thousands of passengers check their PNR status every second. These facts will make you feel proud of your favourite transport mode.
With over 68 thousand kilometres, the Indian Railways is the world’s 4th largest railway network, followed by the US, China and Russia. As of now, it has over 45 thousand kilometres of the electrified rail network. Besides that, the railway is also the most significant rail route globally, operated by a single government.
Indian Railways owns four UNESCO recognised world heritage sites. They are Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (inscribed in 1999), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (inscribed in 2004), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (inscribed in 2005), and Kalka Shimla Railway (Inscribed in 2008). Soon, it may get the congruence for two more UNESCO sites, namely Matheran Light Railway and Kangra Valley Railway.
The first railway proposals for India were made in Madras in 1832. The country got its first train in the form of Red Hill Railway which was built with the sole purpose of transporting granite for road building.
In 1845, the Godavari Dam Construction Railway was built by Cotton at Dowleswaram in Rajahmundry, to supply stone for the construction of a dam over the Godavari River. In 1851, the Solani Aqueduct Railway was built by Proby Cautley in Roorkee to transport construction materials for an aqueduct over the Solani River.
India’s first passenger train, operated by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and hauled by three steam locomotives – Sahib, Sindh and Sultan – ran for 34 kilometres with 400 people in 14 carriages on 1,676 mm broad gauge track between Bori Bunder (Mumbai) and Thane on 16 April 1853. The Thane viaducts, India’s first railway bridges, were built over the Thane creek when the Mumbai-Thane line was extended to Kalyan in May 1854.
Isn’t it surprising that there are two railway stations at the exact location? But it is a fact about railways. In Ahmednagar, Srirampur and Belapur stations are located at the same spot but on opposite sides of the track.
To showcase the vast history of the nation’s lifeline, Indian Railways have 34 operational and 3 under construction Rail Museums, Heritage Gallery, Art Gallery and Heritage Park in different cities of India. These sites preserve and promote rail tourism. Delhi Rail Museum is the first railway museum in India, also known as the National rail museum of India.
The famous Fairy Queen is the world’s oldest working locomotive that is still in use. Manufactured way back in 1855, the Fairy Queen was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest steam locomotive in regular service. The Fairy Queen was interestingly given heritage status in 1972 by the Indian government, giving it the status of a national treasure.
India is home to 8 Railway Museums – in Delhi, Pune, Kanpur, Mysore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ghum and Tiruchirappalli. The National Railway Museum in Delhi is the most visited museum in India, with millions of tourists flocking to witness the rich heritage that the museum offers. The Fairy Queen, the world’s oldest working locomotive is one of the main tourist attractions at the museum. This museum is also the largest rail museum in Asia.
Indian Railways run these trains
keeping in mind the tourism point of view. Most of the luxury trains offers
five star facilities to passengers on board. Running for a duration of two
days to one week, these trains take you on a once upon a lifetime journey.
You find a fine chance to explore the picturesque terrain anlongwith
enjoying royal hospitality. Palace of Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Heritage on
Wheels and Fairy Queen are some of the popular luxurious trains in India.
Rail transport is a commonly used mode of long-distance transportation in
India. Almost all rail operations in India are handled by a state-owned organisation, Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways.
A plan for a rail system in India was first put forward in 1832. The first rail line of the Indian sub-continent came up near
Chintadripet Bridge (presently in Chennai) in Madras Presidency in 1836 as an experimental line.
In India, household appliances operate at 220 volts, but electric appliances like bulbs, fans, and sockets function at 110 volts on the railway coaches. It helps the railway save its bulbs and fans from thieves as it becomes hard to convert 110 volts appliances into 220 volts.
To match the human body’s frequency, while designing rail coaches, the resonance frequency of suspension is kept near 1.2 Hz or 72 bpm. It is the only reason one can also get sleep on a running train.
In 1832, British India first proposed the idea of setting up a new railway station in colonized India.
Many proposals for Indian railways were made in the 1840s, mainly around Calcutta and Bombay.
1845 was the year that a railway operation around Rajahmundry was built, named the Godavari Dam Construction Railway.
The East India Railway followed the construction of the Madras Railway in 1845.
On August 1, 1849, the Great Indian Peninsular was created by an Act of Parliament.
In 1842, the Madras Guaranteed Railway Company came into existence.
Venkatanarasimharajuvariipeta in Andhra Pradesh, and at the Tamil Nadu border, is the station with the longest name (29 letters). Locals usually add the prefix ‘Sri’ before the name, making it longer by 3 letters.
‘Ib Railway station’ in Odisha has the distinction of having the shortest name of all stations in the entire Indian Railways network. The famous station derives its name from the Ib river, which is a tributary of Mahanadi.
Monisha Rajesh, is the author of the new book "Around India in 80 Trains." The state-run railways and private luxury lines give full view of the
country’s people as well as its sights, Ms. Rajesh said. “You could be
in first class with ambassadors and politicians in these air-conditioned
compartments” she said. “Go down to the other end, you’ll find people
sitting on wooden slats.”
“No one is excluded,” she added. “For every price, anyone can travel.”
Indian railway is the lifeline loved by millions of people across the country. It plays a huge role in nation-building, whether economic or social. It is an affordable transport system that doesn’t only carry humans but also goods. Under the ownership of Railways, DFCCIL is also constructing the dedicated freight corridors to smoothen the function of Railways. In addition, the railway is also developing a Diamond quadrilateral for a high-speed rail network.
Vande Bharat Express is a medium to long-distance superfast express service operated by Indian Railways. It is a reserved, air-conditioned chair car service connecting cities that are less than 800 km (500 mi) apart or take less than ten hours to travel with existing services and a planned reserved, air-conditioned sleeper service connecting cities that are 800 km (500 mi) to 1,200 km (750 mi) apart. The train was a part of the 'Make in India' initiative by the government and entered commercial service on 15 February 2019. Many a times the rest of the trains are stopped to allow Vande Bharat trains - infrastructure also needed to be developed on par with addition of trains.
Railways also employ the highest number of people in India. Additionally, many people are connected to the rail services in India for travelling and earning their bread and butter. E-catering apps and rail service providers like RailRestro are allied to the Indian railways.
Problems faced by rail commuters
INSIDE Story - what happens inside the compartments today - what happens inside the compart is pathetic today!!!!
Overcrowding:
Can we call it a reservation compartment?Trains and stations often get extremely crowded during peak seasons, leading to discomfort and safety concerns.
Ticket booking issues:
Difficulty in securing tickets, long queues at reservation counters, bulk booking by travel agencies, and issues with online ticketing systems.
Indian Railways has long been associated with overcrowded trains, where passengers often find themselves squeezed into cramped spaces, whether it’s the general coaches or the sleeper class. However, a striking photo shared on Twitter has recently exposed the extent of this overcrowding issue, shedding light on the alarming conditions within the Indian rail network. The image captures passengers resorting to sleeping on the floor of a sleeper coach on the Bidar-Yesvantpur Express, illustrating the desperate situation faced by many travellers. The Twitter user who shared the photo highlighted not only the overcrowding but also the inconvenience caused by a three-hour delay in the train’s arrival at the Yesvantpur station in Bengaluru, affecting thousands of passengers. This incident has once again sparked a conversation about the urgent need for improvements in the Indian Railways system.
Most of the time the website shows waiting list as there are no tickets available for important routes
Train delays:
Frequent delays due to infrastructure limitations, signaling issues, and operational
problems.
Overcrowded trains are currently a big issue, often leaving the passengers frustrated. From AC coaches crammed with ticketless passengers to aisles overflowing with people, it’s a huge and everyday challenge for Indian Railways. Many have expressed their concern over the poor management of trains on social media, especially in the last year or so when such instances have witnessed a massive spike.
Poor hygiene:
Unclean coaches, inadequate sanitation facilities, and littering issues.
Unhygienic toilet facilities on Indian trains are a significant issue, often characterized by unclean conditions, overflowing waste, broken fixtures, poor ventilation, and inadequate cleaning, leading to complaints from passengers about unpleasant smells and unsanitary environments, particularly on older trains; although Indian Railways has been working to improve sanitation with initiatives like bio-toilets, the problem persists in some areas.
Key points about unhygienic train toilets in India:
Poor maintenance:
Lack of regular cleaning and maintenance contributes to the unhygienic state of toilets on trains.
Outdated technology:
Older trains may still have outdated toilet systems that lack proper waste disposal mechanisms.
Overcrowding:
High passenger volume can lead to rapid deterioration of toilet cleanliness.
Improper usage:
Some passengers may not use the toilets appropriately, leading to further mess.
Bio-toilet challenges:
While bio-toilets are being implemented to break down waste, their effectiveness can vary depending on proper maintenance and usage.
Impact of unhygienic toilets:
Health concerns:
Poor sanitation in train toilets can spread diseases and pose health risks to passengers.
Negative travel experience:
Dirty toilets can significantly detract from the overall travel experience.
Public perception:
Issues with train toilets can negatively impact the image of Indian Railways.
Efforts to improve sanitation:
Bio-toilet installations:
Indian Railways is actively installing bio-toilets in trains to improve waste management.
Clean My Coach initiative:
This service allows passengers to report issues regarding cleanliness on trains, including toilet issues.
Increased cleaning frequency:
Railway authorities are trying to increase the frequency of toilet cleaning on trains.
Lack of proper seating:
Insufficient seating capacity, especially in general class compartments, leading to passengers standing for long durations.
Security concerns:
Petty theft, unauthorized entry into reserved compartments, and occasional incidents of violence.
Outdated infrastructure:
Old tracks, outdated coaches, and malfunctioning equipment contributing to delays and safety concerns.
Poor maintenance:
Lack of proper maintenance of stations and trains leading to further deterioration.
The Indian Railways was recently directed by the district consumer commission of Visakhapatnam to pay ₹30,000 to a passenger as compensation for the discomfort he faced during his journey from Tirupati to Duvvada, reported Times of India.
News Report
According to the report, the commission asked the South Central Railway (SCR) to pay ₹25,000 to the 55-year-old man for physical and mental stress. The railways was also ordered to pay the passenger ₹5,000 to cover legal costs.
V Murthy had booked four 3AC tickets on the Tirumala Express train for himself and his family from Tirupati to Duvvada near Vishakhapatnam for June 3, 2023. They were assigned berths in the B-7 coach. Later, Murthy received a message from the Indian Railways stating that their accommodation had been changed from 3A to 3E.
According to the report, during the journey, Murthy and his family members faced several hassles, as the coach’s air conditioning wasn’t working properly, the toilets were unhygienic and the water supply was inadequate. Despite Murthy reporting these issues to the relevant officials in Duvvada, no action was taken in response.
What did the Railways say?
The Indian Railways claimed that Murthy’s complaint was based on false allegations and claimed that it was intended to secure money. The railways added that Murthy and his family completed their journey safely by using all the services provided by the railways.
What did the commission say?
Announcing its verdict, the bench of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I (Visakhapatnam) stated that the Indian Railways is obligated to ensure basic amenities including functional toilets and a working AC. The commission added that since the railways collected tickets and promised a comfortable journey to the passengers, they should have provided the facilities.
Noise pollution:
High noise levels due to train operations, impacting passengers near railway tracks
Will our largest public enterprise will see its destruction soon if handed over to corrupt multinational corporations ?
HOPE THE RAILWAY WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY US, EMPLOY US AND AMUSE US - by solving all problems it face today!!!!
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