Kamayani Express - Late आना है काम तुम्हारा लेकिन मैं फिर भी हूँ तुम्हारा दीवाना - Aman

This is becoming a new normal in all trains - ticketless/unreserved/waitlisted travellers forcing their way through in reserved coaches. Sleeper coaches are a lost case , and 3AC is on the same path . Very strangely, even when 1AC and 2AC are also bearing the brunt of this gross mismanagement, IR terms the videos and photos of such incidents as "maligning it's image" , and Rail Minister refuses to acknowledge existence of any such issue.

I have highlighted these points in one of my earlier post also , a gradual overhaul...
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of the existing system is needed, otherwise this rot will persist forever :

1. Railway stations should have adequate boundary walls /fencing - checking at entry/exit points of stations - "valid reserved ticket based entry only " on platforms.

2. mobile patrolling units of RPF - to handle such travellers on trains - when caught, impose heavy fines and if reqd to deter others . " How will common man pay heavy fines" narrative is no longer viable - one should think about the consequences before committing the offence .

3. Instead of denying these incidents that surface as videos and photos on social media , IR should verify and suspend/ impose fines on TTEs and RPF staff escorting the train - for non- fulfilment of duty obligations. In long term , it may instill fear of higher authorities and deter corrupt practices and ignorance.

4. At least 6 sleeper coaches should be there in all non AC trains , which should be gradually phased out , not abruptly . Plus, the COVID era reservation in general class should be brought back .

Trains with only SL/General coaches should be run as clones on routes where such overcrowding in trains is there.

However, recently, there was an incident in Patna Ranchi vande Bharat , where many people entered the coaches in name of being rail employees on election duty. They occupied seats of passengers with reservations and asked them to "ADJUST".....

I...
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can recollect an incident from my childhood - In early 2003 , An old lady entered the lone 3AC Coach of the then Amritsar Jaipur Express (via firozpur) at Beas. She sat on our reserved side lower berth . She did not have a ticket of any class - when questioned - she told her son had asked her to just go and travel in AC coach. The TTE asked her to alight at the next stop , she refused and threatened to jump off the train . She also refused to move to the general coach of the train . She had some talk with the TTE near the coach vestibule. There was no RPF on the train and the TTE did not press her any further and quietly went away . She kept sitting here and there , on different seats in the coach - much to the dismay of the passengers . The coach attendant informed the next morning that she had deboarded at alwar .

This was the first incident of unauthorised boarding I had witnessed . So, this happens even in trains with sufficient sleeper and general coaches.

The issue of reduction of sleeper and general coaches , and lack of dedicated superfast trains/ clones with only sleeper and general coaches - is a serious issue that needs to be addressed ( Unfortunately Hon'ble rail minister had openly refused to acknowledge it) - but it's just "a part" of the problem.

People in some areas of the country have got habitual to committing offences like unauthorised boarding , with no one to stop them. And that is due to lack of vigilance staff / lack of will on their part to act - corruption is preferred over enforcement of regulations - ultimately encouraging such offences. Strict regulations and their enforcement is , thus, required.

So , a holistic redressal to this problem, taking all aspects into consideration , is need of the hour .

These consistent delays that keep increasing, reflect not only the ignorance of SER and SECR towards Azad hind , but largely the indifference of IR towards passengers' apathy .

Delays must be affecting the cleanliness and maintenance of rakes ( already very old icf coaches).

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is the condition of a "superfast train" between two very important Indian cities . No punctuality, old coaches , no priority enroute ; and this has been going on since so long !!! IR needs a serious and genuine introspection of its affairs - beyond vande Bharats and bullet trains.