Indian Railways stands as a testament to the nation’s progress. Its colossal network intertwines the diverse tapestry of India’s landscape, culture, and economy. Since its founding in 1853, Indian Railways has developed into the backbone of the country. With more than 67,000 kilometers of track, it tied together different parts and promoted unity between them.
Indian Railways is one of the world’s largest train networks, serving more than 23 million people every day. From the snow-capped heights of the Himalayas to the sun-kissed beaches of the Indian Ocean, its vast reach spans busy cities, lush farmland, and parched deserts.
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However, Indian railways have always struggled due to multiple problems. And one of the biggest problems that railways are currently facing is the problem of over-populated trains.
Millions of passengers are impacted by the serious issue of overcrowding on Indian railways every day. Across the extensive network, this congestion takes many different forms, from long-distance express trains to local suburban trains.
This never-ending problem of overcrowding once again captured public attention. A passenger named Nilisha Mantri shared her worst train experience on social media.
Nilisha Mantri highlighted the problem of overcrowding in train
In a recent incident, a netizen named Nilisha Mantri shared photos of her train trip Chetak Express. Unfortunately, the images revealed the depressing conditions inside an overcrowded AC coach of the Chetak Express. The image is strikingly similar to the turmoil usually found in general or sleeper-class compartments.
Nilisha thought she would be safe in the promised comfort of air conditioning. Unfortunately, she finds herself in the middle of hundreds of people. What is more shocking is that it all happened when she purchased a 3-tier AC ticket. Her distress was palpable as she questioned the rationale behind paying for an AC ticket when the experience mirrored that of traveling in a lower-class compartment. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, she wrote,
“This is the condition of 3rd tier AC in chetak express 20473 @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw railways have become a joke why we are even paying for AC if we have to suffer like general class?? @narendramodi no place to even sit properly even after paying.”
This is the condition of 3rd tier AC in chetak express 20473 @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw railways have become a joke why we are even paying for AC if we have to suffer like general class?? @narendramodi no place to even sit properly even after paying pic.twitter.com/zUQO3utYHM
— Nilisha Mantri (@nilishamantri_) March 19, 2024
The public responded to Nilisha’s post in a profound way, expressing a general sense of annoyance and disappointment with the situation of Indian train travel. There have been complaints expressed over the deteriorating comfort levels and the discrepancy in ticket costs compared to the level of service rendered.
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Railways responded to Nilisha Mantri’s grievances
Public outrage prompted a prompt response from the railways, signaling a willingness to address the grievances raised by passengers. By requesting Nilisha’s PNR/UTS number and cellphone number, they showed that they were committed to finding a quick solution and regaining trust in the system. In their reply, Indian Railways wrote,
Please share your PNR/UTS no. and Mobile No. with us preferably via DM so that immediate action can be taken on your complaint. You may also raise your concern directly on https://t.co/JNjgaq1zyT or dial 139 for speedy redressal.
https://t.co/utEzIqB89U— RailwaySeva (@RailwaySeva) March 19, 2024
The fact that Nilisha’s post has received an astounding 1.5 million views demonstrates how widely acknowledged the dire situation of Indian train travel is. It serves as a sobering reminder of the pressing need for structural changes to reduce congestion and guarantee every passenger has a dignified, safe, and comfortable travel experience.
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