RAILWAYS

I completely agree with your complaints and views.

Traveled to Delhi by Garib Rath, Tranin No. 12216 on 10.8.16. Train was on time and coach was clean. Compartment No. 06934. Toilets were in bad condition. Taps leaking and not working properly. During the journey Two toilets had no water due to leakage. Needed urgent attention.
Since pantry service is not available. It was looting time for unauthorized vendors. Every food item was sold at 2 or 3 time higher rates. Veg. rice with dahi curry which costs Rs.30 or less at Rail Aahar was being sold under the guise of Veg. Pulao / Veg. Biryani at Rs.80 and tasted worst. Tea which is available at Rs.7 was sold at Rs.10 and less than 60 ml. These unauthorized vendors have cups bearing railway monograms. These unauthorized vendors should be stopped from boarding the train. A mini pantry car can be made available just with micro wave ovens or induction cook tops, so that ready to eat snacks can be served hot. mentioning of rate on packets should be made mandatory.
During the journey cleaning staff at major halts cleaned the toilets and compartments. Windows were cleaned from outside only and not from inside. This should be taken care of.
Security was not visible and also not unauthorized passenger. TTEs made visit at all major stations and checked the tickets which was quite remarkable.

------- Edited on 2016-08-25 -------

On my return journey I boarded Garib Rath Train No. 12215 from Delhi Cantt. Station. As usual coach was clean ( N0. NR 08133) and in good condition. Toilets were not as good as expected. Taps and soap dispenser needed urgent repairing. Catering was not available (read tea/coffee or cold drinks etc.) till Jaipur. Some vendors came to book orders for lunch but it was not clear whether they are from Railway or from private caterers.
Passengers who had not booked bedrolls paid Rs.25/- to attendant but not receipt was issued. It should be mandatory that the attendant should issue a receipt.

From Mumbai to Rajkot there are 3 major trains since last 40 years.
1. 19005 Saurashtra Mail : Has 19 stops.
2. 19017 Saurashtra Janata : Has 27 stops.
3. 19215 Saurashtra Express : Has astounding 54 STOPS ! It is just a passenger train and Railways still call it Express, and charge the Express fare ! This is absolutely third grade train, used by up/down Rowdy commuters who harass unfortunate passengers in Reserved coaches like any thing and No TTE Ever dares to challenge them.

Railways should stop cheating public by calling this an Express train, and disallow /punish the daily commuters who travel in reserved coaches illegally.