With a population of over 1.3 billion, India is heavily dependent on public transit, such as railroads. That’s why, India’s railway system is crucial in determining the country’s economic and social environment. Ever since its establishment, the Indian Railways has been a major force behind growth and connection.
The nation’s economy is based on one of the largest railway networks in the world, which makes it easier to carry goods and people across long distances. Because of the vast train network, even remote areas can get healthcare, education, and other necessities. However, India’s enormous population presents unique challenges for the country’s railway system.
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The problem of overcrowding places great pressure on India’s railway system’s capability. Trains often arrive late and leave early, packing the cars and platforms. This puts passengers’ comfort at risk and also puts their safety in jeopardy. Similar circumstances recently occurred with a traveler who complained on social media about being hampered by other passengers traveling without tickets on the Bhuj-Shalimar Express sleeper coach.
A crowd of ticketless passengers irked other passenger
A recent social media post shed light on a concerning incident aboard the Bhuj-Shalimar Express, where overcrowding by unauthorized passengers in a sleeper coach disrupted one traveler’s journey. The post, which was shared on the X platform, described the pain that was felt in coach S5 after leaving Ahmedabad Junction. On the X platform, he wrote,
Babu Bhaiya @Shahrcasm Sleeper coach, reserved s5, 22829 which departed from Ahmedabad a while ago. Without ticket People not moving and giving place to us with reserved ticket. Please help. Pnr number – 8413099794 @RailwaySeva @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw
Sleeper coach, reserved s5, 22829 which departed from Ahmedabad a while ago. Without ticket People not moving and giving place to us with reserved ticket. Please help. Pnr number – 8413099794 @RailwaySeva @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/NUhTvKIXWP
— Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm) March 26, 2024
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His family was inconvenienced when others without tickets took up allocated seats and clogged the aisles. In an attempt to find help, the user tagged Indian Railways and Ashwini Vaishnaw in their post.
Here is how Indian Railways reacted to the whole controversy
Railway Seva, the official customer care account of Indian Railways, acknowledged the problem and promised to take appropriate steps to resolve it and guarantee the safety and comfort of its passengers. The official X account of Indian Railways wrote,
Please share your mobile no. preferably via DM to enable us to take immediate action. You may also raise your concern directly on http://railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in or dial 139 for speedy redressal.
They further added,
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For necessary action escalated to the concerned official @Drmbrcwr
For necessary action escalated to the concerned official @Drmbrcwr
— RailwaySeva (@RailwaySeva) March 26, 2024
However, despite this response, skepticism persisted. With more than 1.3 million views, many observers saw a troubling pattern of uninvited people pushing back against seats, both in AC compartments and sleeper carriages, as shown by reported instances.
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