‘Thanks for ruining my Diwali’: Crowd forces man with AC ticket to miss train home
‘Thanks for ruining my Diwali’: Crowd forces man with AC ticket to miss train home
Anshul Sharma, a 27-year-old man from Gujarat, expressed frustration with the Indian Railways and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) after he was forced out of a crowded train despite having a confirmed 3-tier AC ticket. Sharma, who intended to spend Diwali with his aging parents in Ratlam, was manhandled and laughed at by a crowd of ticketless travelers. He shared his ordeal on social media, and the visuals have since gone viral.
Sharma revealed his shock upon discovering the train overcrowded with ticketless passengers. Despite having a confirmed ticket, he was unable to board the tightly packed train, and he had to watch it leave the Vadodara station without him. The incident highlights the challenges and frustrations faced by passengers when trains are overcrowded, and it raises concerns about the effectiveness of crowd management and ticket checking procedures by the railway authorities.
The overcrowded coaches made it challenging for passengers to open doors, and Anshul Sharma faced difficulties trying to enter the next coach, finding himself sandwiched in the crowd. He noted the plight of women passengers stuck in the crowded train, requesting others to let them move and reach their seats. Realizing the impossibility of traveling in such conditions, Sharma decided to get off the train and sought help from policemen. However, they reportedly laughed at him and claimed they couldn’t do much in the crowded rush.
Sharma’s attempts to reach out to the Railways and passenger helpline centers proved futile, with his complaints allegedly being marked as resolved without providing a solution. Frustrated with the ordeal, he called for a refund of his fare of Rs 1,173.95 and highlighted the need for improved crowd management and passenger assistance services by the Railways.
Anshul Sharma, who recently joined a new job and couldn’t take leave for Diwali, intended to spend the weekend with his aging parents. Given the urgency and the over-60 age of his parents, he opted for the train, expecting a three-hour journey home. However, the overcrowded train and the subsequent events forced him to miss the train and spend Diwali separated from his parents.
Sharma emphasized that the situation not only affected him but also other passengers with confirmed tickets who faced a similar predicament. Many X users responded to his post, sharing their own experiences and highlighting the broader issue of overcrowding and passenger inconvenience during peak travel times.
The reports of overcrowded trains and instances where unreserved passengers filled AC coaches, as shared by passengers on social media, highlight significant challenges in crowd management and ticket checking. Shubham Sharma’s account of a similar incident on the Goa Express, where AC coaches were allegedly occupied by unreserved passengers, underscores the need for improved vigilance and enforcement measures by railway authorities.
The incidents of overcrowded trains and the challenges faced by passengers not only cause inconvenience but also raise serious safety concerns. Effective crowd management and passenger assistance services are crucial to ensuring a smooth and safe travel experience. The recent reports of chaotic situations, including the stampede at Surat railway station, underscore the urgency for comprehensive measures to address these challenges.
Railway authorities need to enhance their efforts in crowd control, ticket checking, and ensuring that reserved compartments are not occupied by unreserved passengers. Additionally, there is a need for increased vigilance by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to maintain order and respond promptly to such situations. The safety and well-being of passengers must be prioritized, and proactive measures should be taken to prevent overcrowding and ensure a secure travel environment.
