Harassment in Train Journey
I would like to share my most recent experience of train journey.
On Friday night (19th) I was supposed to take 18477 Utkal Exp from Jajpur K Road to Tatanagar. The train enquiry system was showing correct time running of the train, so I reached station about half an hour in advance. The train came half an hour late. But we are now so habituated … that 30 min late is considered as “almost” correct time. So I was quite happy that the train was late by 30 min only.
Surprisingly, the train enquiry system was showing a correct time departure at the same station, where the train arrived late by 30 min. This national rail enquiry system is becoming worthless day by day, just because of some dishonest and unethical staff, who are keen to record a correct time running history of trains, instead of disclosing the actual running times and help thousands of passengers.
Anyway, the train finally came. Due to some unknown reason, at the last moment, when all the passengers were waiting on platform no. 1, it was announced that the train would arrive at platform no. 2. I just could not understand what forced them to put all the passengers in such kind of trouble !!! Anyway, we somehow reached platform no. 1, crossing the overbridge. Then I rushed to the rear portion of the train. The electronic display was showing the sequence in this manner … B4, B3, B2, A1, B1 … and I found it difficult to locate my coach B1, because the actual sequence was B4, B3, B2, B1, A1.
Ok …. After boarding the train, nothing unexpected happened during the night. On the other hand, as a pleasant surprise, I found that the train reached Gidhni station at 4:40 AM, which was very close to right time. All the passengers hoped that the train would finally reach Tatanagar on right time at 6:00 AM.
The situation took a twist immediately after that. Usually, it takes around 1 hr 10 min to reach Tata from Gidhni (for any express that has stoppages at Chakulia, Ghatsila, etc. … otherwise non-stop superfast trains take about an hour). The train finally took 3 hr 10 min to reach Tatanagar. The train stopped at Gidhini, Chakulia, Kokpara and Asanboni stations for a total of 2 hr of wastage of valuable time, and entered Tatanagar finally at 8:00 AM.
No announcement anywhere, not giving any reason for the delay on behalf of Indian Railways … the train took 2 extra hours. We could not see any mishap on the way like accident, derailment … etc. Then what was the reason on earth that a train takes 3 hr 10 min to cover a distance of just 1 hr 10 min? Perhaps it is now assumed that we, the passengers, can tolerate just everything.
This is the kind of attitude we see from Indian Railways. And day by day, I am becoming more and more sure that Indian Railway will never improve. There will be no improvement in timing, no improvement in cleanliness or safety, security … etc. Just yesterday I came to know from TV news that there was a robbery in AC coach of Amritsar Mail …. And by now everyone knows what happened in NJP station due to the excess crowd of examination candidates.
So, dear friends …. you can only improve your patience … do not expect any improvement in Indian Railways. It is now clear that situation will never improve and we also should not expect anything. more
On Friday night (19th) I was supposed to take 18477 Utkal Exp from Jajpur K Road to Tatanagar. The train enquiry system was showing correct time running of the train, so I reached station about half an hour in advance. The train came half an hour late. But we are now so habituated … that 30 min late is considered as “almost” correct time. So I was quite happy that the train was late by 30 min only.
Surprisingly, the train enquiry system was showing a correct time departure at the same station, where the train arrived late by 30 min. This national rail enquiry system is becoming worthless day by day, just because of some dishonest and unethical staff, who are keen to record a correct time running history of trains, instead of disclosing the actual running times and help thousands of passengers.
Anyway, the train finally came. Due to some unknown reason, at the last moment, when all the passengers were waiting on platform no. 1, it was announced that the train would arrive at platform no. 2. I just could not understand what forced them to put all the passengers in such kind of trouble !!! Anyway, we somehow reached platform no. 1, crossing the overbridge. Then I rushed to the rear portion of the train. The electronic display was showing the sequence in this manner … B4, B3, B2, A1, B1 … and I found it difficult to locate my coach B1, because the actual sequence was B4, B3, B2, B1, A1.
Ok …. After boarding the train, nothing unexpected happened during the night. On the other hand, as a pleasant surprise, I found that the train reached Gidhni station at 4:40 AM, which was very close to right time. All the passengers hoped that the train would finally reach Tatanagar on right time at 6:00 AM.
The situation took a twist immediately after that. Usually, it takes around 1 hr 10 min to reach Tata from Gidhni (for any express that has stoppages at Chakulia, Ghatsila, etc. … otherwise non-stop superfast trains take about an hour). The train finally took 3 hr 10 min to reach Tatanagar. The train stopped at Gidhini, Chakulia, Kokpara and Asanboni stations for a total of 2 hr of wastage of valuable time, and entered Tatanagar finally at 8:00 AM.
No announcement anywhere, not giving any reason for the delay on behalf of Indian Railways … the train took 2 extra hours. We could not see any mishap on the way like accident, derailment … etc. Then what was the reason on earth that a train takes 3 hr 10 min to cover a distance of just 1 hr 10 min? Perhaps it is now assumed that we, the passengers, can tolerate just everything.
This is the kind of attitude we see from Indian Railways. And day by day, I am becoming more and more sure that Indian Railway will never improve. There will be no improvement in timing, no improvement in cleanliness or safety, security … etc. Just yesterday I came to know from TV news that there was a robbery in AC coach of Amritsar Mail …. And by now everyone knows what happened in NJP station due to the excess crowd of examination candidates.
So, dear friends …. you can only improve your patience … do not expect any improvement in Indian Railways. It is now clear that situation will never improve and we also should not expect anything. more
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This worthless machinery is alive using taxpayer's money just because of it's Sarkari monopoly. Even for an abnormally delayed train once they refused to refund my ticket fare against timely filed TDR, showing vague reasons which I couldn't even understand. No-one in station will sign your ticket if you decide not to travel for such abnormal delays. Better not to discuss about so called safety by railway police. For such a service it's extremely irritating when you buy a AC 2T ticket at close to Air fare and read a notice which says 43% of your fare is borne by common citizen (so the buyer of ticket is not a citizen) which is actually wasted only for it's inefficiency and corruption. more
Jun 06
This used to happen in 1950 or so when steam engines were in use.You can imagine where where we are going!Is it VIKAS !!? more
Jun 06
In our (I & my wife) recent journey from Hyderabad to Bhopal with PNR 4131409176 in Sampark Kranti, I was allotted Birth in B3 coach while my wife was allotted Birth in B4 coach. It was really surprising, discomfort and sad being Senior Citizen we were allotted different coach even with single PNR. This is the example of INDIAN RAILWAY where you can expect any problem and discomfort. more
Jun 02
While it has been observed that the punctuality of various trains have shown a definite betterment, I am of the opinion that your case may be one off case with a specific reason. However, not intimating the passenger well in advance about the inordinate delay is not correct and it is the duty of the concerned Railway Zone to keep all the passengers of the particular about the delay & the likely time of arrival to avoid and overcome such inconveniences. Its high time Railways reorient their operational efficiency and tighten up such loose ends. more
Jun 01
I 100 percent agree with you Scieintist Basudev. Not only make Railways Better, but also Swatch Bharat Mission are mere waste of time for the members like us in these Missions. I feel pity on us. more
May 26
