In a recent incident that has stirred conversations online, a passenger shared a video on social media showcasing the overcrowded state of an AC compartment on the Poorva Express.
The video, posted by Twitter user Gandharv Vinayak Rai, highlighted how the coach resembled a general compartment, sparking concerns over passenger convenience and safety.
Rai recorded the footage in the B5 AC coach of the Poorva Express near Patna, capturing scenes of unreserved passengers sitting on the floor and sharing seats with those who had confirmed reservations. The visuals also showed congestion in the area near the toilet, a situation rarely expected in an air-conditioned coach.
Expressing his frustration, Rai tagged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the official Indian Railways handle, demanding immediate attention to the matter. In his post, he mentioned that he had lodged a complaint via Rail Madad (complaint number 2024121005214) but received no response even after 45 minutes.
Rai’s tweet read:
“Please see the video and see the state of train in AC reservation in train no. 12303 Poorva Express near Patna. It feels like a general compartment. Already complained on Rail Madad no. 2024121005214… even 45 minutes passed, no response from railway.”
Indian Railways Responds
The Indian Railways promptly responded to the viral video, assuring that the issue was being taken seriously. In their reply, they stated:
“We’re listening and will do our best to help. The concerned officials are being notified.”
While the response from Railways aimed to assure passengers of corrective measures, the incident has raised questions about the enforcement of reservation policies and the management of train compartments.
This incident has shone a spotlight on the challenges faced by passengers, even in reserved compartments, and the importance of maintaining quality services, particularly in premium categories like AC coaches. For many, the experience highlighted in the video is a stark contrast to the expectations from Indian Railways, which has been making strides in improving travel experiences.