Indian Railway : A Rollercoaster of Delays, Discomfort, Mismanagement, and Never-Ending Adventures!

 

The Indian Railway System is considered the lifeline of our nation, playing a crucial role in the lives of millions of Indians. However, it is no secret that the system is burdened with a multitude of challenges that hinder its efficiency and create inconveniences for passengers. These challenges include ticketing issues, overcrowded trains, unhygienic conditions in coaches and bathrooms, poor quality meals, instances of mobile snatching, and many more that passengers encounter these issues frequently. This is my second article on the Indian Railway, which discusses the problems faced by ordinary passengers in both noticeable and hidden areas daily.

Challenges and Problems in Ticket Booking:

We book train tickets months in advance, hoping to secure our travel plans. However, it's quite disheartening to realize that these tickets stay unconfirmed when it's time for us to begin our journey. This leaves us wondering: Who are these individuals who manage to successfully book these tickets? As far as I know, everyone is facing challenges when attempting to secure train tickets.

Recently, I needed to travel somewhere, so I booked a 3rd AC train ticket online about 20 days before the journey. I paid Rs. 3,184 and received a PNR number (6319804462). But here's the twist: the railway couldn't confirm my berth, leading to the cancellation of my ticket. And guess when it happened? Right at the last moment when I was all set with my luggage. To add insult to injury, I received a refund of only Rs. 3,030 after deducting Rs. 154. Isn't it ironic? The system seems to have a funny way of functioning!

After trying for two days to book Tatkal tickets online (it's quite intriguing how Tatkal tickets vanish within seconds), I decided to visit my nearby railway station for Offline Tatkal tickets. To my surprise, the situation there was nothing short of a warzone. People were queuing up from midnight, hoping to secure a Tatkal ticket. Unfortunately, corrupt individuals at the ticket counter were bypassing the waiting passengers and providing tickets to brokers.

It's disheartening to realize that we invest our hard-earned money and end up with nothing but headaches and troubles. Look at the example of IRCTC right in front of us: if Railway cancels your ticket, you do get a refund, but they deduct certain charges. I must say, I find the logic behind this approach quite puzzling. After all, it's not our fault if IRCTC can't provide a confirmed seat. We shouldn't be penalized for their inability to fulfill their responsibility.

What adds to the frustration is the fact that while ordinary people struggle to find available tickets, certain platforms, software, and agents like Red Mirchi, AMNS, NGET, IBALL, ORANGE, CLOUD, etc., as well as nearby travel agencies near railway stations, are offering confirmed tickets at higher prices. These practices are completely illegal, yet no concrete action has been taken so far.

                       

         

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Amenities and Services Issues:

The RO water counter at the railway station, which used to sell water for just 5 rupees per litre, is no longer in operation. If the railway station provides RO drinking water and passengers bring their own bottles, we can make a big impact in reducing millions of plastic bottles daily.

Moving on, the prices of food, snacks, and beverages on trains and platforms are not regulated, causing concerns. The food offered by Indian Railways inside the train is frequently of poor quality and lacks proper hygiene.

Additionally, there are no restrictions on selling items to people from outside the train, creating a major security issue that needs attention.

                     

                 Non-Functional Water Vending Machines                  

 

Fake Water Bottles Provided on Trains

Problems faced By Train Passengers:

The condition of bathrooms and basins in some train coaches is simply the worst. Some coaches don't even have dustbins or damaged basins. Full Sanitization is a far cry as the railway fails to provide clean bathrooms for sleeper classes and general coaches.

I was travelling on the Gangasatlaj Express (13307) on June 11, 2023, in the general class. Unfortunately, none of the fans or charging sockets in the general coach were working, despite all the lights being functional in the afternoon. This was quite surprising, especially during the peak of summer. It's just one of the many challenges faced by passengers during train journeys in India.

Every time I take a train journey, I encounter incidents of stolen phones. It makes me wonder: Is it merely a coincidence or is it something that happens regularly?

   

Dangerous Railway Crossings and Reckless Behaviors of People:

On June 5, 2023, I was on my way to a wedding. Everything seemed fine until I reached a railway crossing, It was open, with no proper safety measures in place. My heart started racing as my car got stuck right in the middle of the tracks. At that moment, I realized the danger I was in. However, with some patience and effort, I was able to cross the tracks.

In my observations, I have seen several unsafe and open railway crossings. What's even more concerning is that instead of using bridges or designated pathways, people choose to risk their lives by jumping from one platform to another via railway tracks.

                                     

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Concerns and Questions about Railway Operations and Finances:

During my conversation with a railway officer, I asked why the railway isn't adding more coaches and why several trains, including express ones, are being cancelled on busy routes. The officer explained that the engines are already operating at their maximum capacity, leaving no room for additional coaches.

Furthermore, the officer mentioned that the railway incurs financial losses when the expected number of tickets isn't sold on specific routes. As a result, certain trains are cancelled to minimize these losses.

While the officer's explanation seemed reasonable, the reality paints a different picture. Each coach, which is designed for 80 seats, ends up accommodating 100-150 passengers. This leads to overcrowding, and the situation is even worse in general. It makes me question whether this doesn't put excessive strain on the engines.

When it comes to the railway's losses, it's interesting to note that train tickets are often booked well in advance, and the Indian railway's revenue model goes beyond just ticket sales. The Indian Railways earns money from different revenues such as passenger fares, freight charges, parcel services, tourism and catering, advertising, renting out commercial spaces, leasing assets, and other miscellaneous sources like ticket cancellation fees and penalties. With all these streams of income, it raises the question: where exactly is the money going? 

                                                  

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Conclusion:

Many people believe that the problems in the railway system are a result of the population (although it could be just one of many factors), but the real issue lies in the luxurious lifestyles enjoyed by railway officials while working government jobs.

The Indian Railways needs talented and skilled individuals in technology. However, the limited salary offered fails to attract engineers who can find much better opportunities and higher pay in the private sector.

The Monopoly of Indian Railway and the dominance of the Indian Railway by the old-fashioned and outdated mindset of railway officials who resist adopting technology and or refuse to learn new approaches is a major cause of the problems faced by the railway system.

If the railway truly wants to improve its system, it should adopt a wartime approach like appointing multiple deputy ministers to support one cabinet minister, prioritizing sanitation and hygiene, providing quality meals for everyone, simplifying ticket booking, ensuring enough coaches during busy times, enhancing safety measures, and creating a corruption-free environment. However, let's face the reality: we're talking about the Indian railway here.