Does Railways really care for passengers' safety in trains, ask netizens

During the festive season, many people travel by train to home and relatives' houses to celebrate. However, train journeys can sometimes be horrifying with overcrowded coaches and ticketless boarders. One such incident was shared by a teenage student on social media who shared his experience during a train journey to Andhra Pradesh from Chennai for Diwali.

What was supposed to be a routine trip, turned into a nightmare as he encountered overcrowded compartments, occupied seats, and lack of basic facilities.

Ch Kumar Satya Chandramouli (19), who was on his way home for Diwali, was confused if he had mistakenly entered a general compartment, only to find his sleeper class compartment packed beyond capacity.

His designated seat was already occupied by ticketless passengers. His struggle to reclaim his seat exposed him to a chaotic scene, and even the washroom area was filled with passengers, leaving little room to sit.

@IRCTCofficial I don't is this the way that Indian railways maintain the trains ?Iam traveling from Chennai Central (MAS) to Rajamundry (RJY) in train 06071 Mas Src sf Spl I booked sleeper class ticket with PNR 4604702320(coach S1 & seat number 8) and I am feeling very insure pic.twitter.com/5VGCIaLp7w

— mouli ch (@Mouli_CH_) November 11, 2023

"It was so crowded. There was barely any place to move around," the 19-year-old B.Tech student was quoted saying to Moneycontrol.

"I had to squabble for 15 minutes for those occupying my seat to vacate it but there were so many bags left by other people that there was barely any space to sit at all," added Chandramouli.

The dire situation extended beyond inconvenience, as Chandramouli faced safety concerns throughout the 12-hour journey. Disturbingly, he witnessed instances of smoking, drinking, and molestation bids by ticketless travellers. Despite calling the helpline number, the promised assistance to clear the coach at the next station failed to materialize, raising questions about the responsibility of Indian Railways for passenger safety.

Chandramouli's ordeal highlights a broader issue as he questions the accountability of railway authorities. He emphasizes the need for security measures and wonders about the compensation for the compromised journey, having paid the full fare. His plea for answers resonates with the larger challenge faced by many travellers during the festive season.

Unfortunately, Chandramouli's experience is not the only one. Another case involves a 27-year-old man from Gujarat, Anshul Sharma, who faced a similarly distressing situation. Despite having a confirmed 3-tier AC ticket, Sharma was forced out of the train by a crowd of ticketless travellers. This shocking incident not only deprived him of reaching his destination for Diwali but also subjected him to mistreatment and harassment.

If men are facing such problems then how safe is train travel for women. As many young women students and working professionals take the train journey regularly, either for their daily commute or travel to their homes.