Indian Railways’ history is a fascinating story in itself. It depicts India’s transition from colonial domination to contemporary independence. With a vast network covering more than 67,000 kilometers, Indian Railways has developed into the backbone of the country.
India’s extensive railway network unites the nation’s many regions and promotes national cohesion. One of the world’s biggest railway networks, it serves more than 23 million people per day. From the serene coasts of the Indian Ocean to the snow-capped summits of the Himalayas, its trains go through bustling towns, verdant farmlands, and parched deserts.
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Even with all of its achievements, the Indian Railways faces severe obstacles, the most important of which is overcrowding. From modest suburban lines to long-distance express services, millions of people travel through overcrowded trains every day.
Adding to this ongoing narrative, a recent video of an overcrowded AC coach shared by a passenger went viral, capturing widespread attention and sparking reactions from across the country.
The video of an overcrowded AC 3-tier coach went viral on the internet.
In the video, a purportedly premium coach seemed less like a means of transportation and more like a busy market. It hardly has enough room to walk about, let alone breathe fresh air.
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On X, formerly known as Twitter, a user named Vijay Kumar posted a video of this wild sight. The video showed the swamped corridors of the 3AC carriage of the Brahmaputra Express at Patna Junction. Along with the video, he wrote,
“This is AC-3 at 15658 BRAHMAPUTRA EXP at Patna Junction. My family and I had to fight to get into the train & then to get our confirmed seat. AC-3 has been taken over by general passengers. No one cares for any rule @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw @narendramodi @NWRailways”
This is AC-3 at 15658 BRAHMAPUTRA EXP at Patna Junction. My family and I had to fight to get into the train & then to get our confirmed seat. AC-3 has been taken over by general passengers. No one cares for any rule @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw @narendramodi @NWRailways pic.twitter.com/sVmp2bWNFV
— Vijay Kumar (@_VIJAY_KUMAR) May 24, 2024
Explaining that they brought 8 tickets for him and his family, but still, they got only 6 seats because of overcrowding
Vijay went on to say that he understood the plight of students. Still, he said that he was unable to comprehend the reason behind this sudden overcrowding in the AC coach. He said,
“I had booked 8 seats for me & my family but only have access to 6 as general passengers have taken over the train. People with general tickets are also in AC-3 & people without tickets are also in AC-3. While talking with some people, I got to know that there are exams going”
Vijay added,
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“I understand that this is all due to that, but why can’t @RailMinIndia or Govt. of India take some steps to help students. Introduce some passenger trains or something why always the general public have to suffer. What’s even the use of confirmed ticket.”
I understand that this is all due to that, but why can’t @RailMinIndia or Govt. of India take some steps to help students. Introduce some passenger trains or something why always the general public have to suffer.
What’s even the use of confirmed ticket.
— Vijay Kumar (@_VIJAY_KUMAR) May 24, 2024
Vijay described the difficulties his family’s female members had in just getting to the bathroom
He wrote,
“Female members of my family want to go to the bathroom but it is blocked by general passengers they are everywhere they have been wanting to go for sometime now but can’t. What’s the use of booking a train when one can’t even use the basic services given to us passengers.”
Female members of my family want to go to the bathroom but it is blocked by general passengers they are everywhere they have been wanting to go for sometime now but can’t. What’s the use of booking a train when one can’t even use the basic services given to us passengers.
— Vijay Kumar (@_VIJAY_KUMAR) May 24, 2024
Not only this, but also Vijay shared the updates of the situation whenever train stopped at any station.
Latest Update 2.0 :- Train reached Buxar (BXR) delayed by 1.46H same thing still going on.
No space available even to go to bathroom.
P.S. Muskuraye aap bihar me h. pic.twitter.com/gie6Fh8oYo
— Vijay Kumar (@_VIJAY_KUMAR) May 24, 2024
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How did the passenger react to Railway Seva’s reply?
Even after complaining to Indian Railways, his grievances didn’t get solved. To further complicate the matter, he posted a screenshot of Railway Seva’s reply, stating that the issue had been handled since ticket inspectors had been urged to tighten down on unregistered passengers. Expressing frustration on the situation, Vijay wrote,
“Another Update: – After 1.30 Hour of nothing my complaint was open by @RailMinIndia & closed without any solution or update. Helpline is just a joke.”
He added,
“This is the closing remarks given by railway, I don’t see the resolution anywhere the situation is nore or less still same. Fake resolution are also provided by @RailwaySeva”
This is the closing remarks given by railway, I don’t see the resolution anywhere the situation is nore or less still same.
Fake resolution are also provided by @RailwaySeva pic.twitter.com/ldGI1WaxnG
— Vijay Kumar (@_VIJAY_KUMAR) May 24, 2024
The post sparked a conversation about overcrowding on trains.
Since then, the post has accumulated over 769K views after becoming viral. It has also spurred discussion on the difficulties that Indian rail passengers encounter.
Now @RailMinIndia will post a video of an odd day when the crowd is less
and claim that the video is misleading.— Saurav Nagar (@sauravnagar0404) May 25, 2024
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How come general ticket passengers occupied AC 3 Tier seats. This is common phenomenon which happens in certain states. TTE r directly involved in this. @AshwiniVaishnaw sir kindly look into the matter. A booked passenger has to fight to get his seat ?? .
— Dr.G R S (@GautamRoySharm1) May 25, 2024
We faced this many times with family, even women in our family can’t go to toilets, have to hold until reach destination how long it is. Pathetic @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw , still they say dont degrade Railway, if they provide us atleast way to go to toilet, great.
— RP (@RP5091211356789) May 25, 2024
In bihar every passenger either in 3AC or 2 AC faces the same scenario.
Strict action should be taken by @RailMinIndia to cope with this problem.— Patriotic citizen (@_nayan31) May 24, 2024
What would be your reaction if you were caught up in a similar situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
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