New Delhi: A group of women embarked on what they hoped would be a comfortable journey from Delhi to Chittoor aboard the Chetak Express. However, their expectations were shattered when they found the third AC coach packed with ticketless passengers, leaving little room for those with confirmed tickets. The situation grew so dire that even reaching the restroom became a challenge for the passengers.Expressing discontent on social mediaOne of the passengers, Nilisha Mantri, took to social media to share her dismay, posting a picture of the overcrowded coach on her profile. In her post, she lamented the deteriorating condition of Indian Railways, describing it as nothing short of a joke. Despite holding confirmed tickets for the journey, Mantri and her fellow passengers found themselves unable to sit comfortably throughout the trip.This is the condition of 3rd tier AC in chetak express 20473 @RailMinIndia @AshwiniVaishnaw railways have become a joke why we are even paying for AC if we have to suffer like general class @narendramodi no place to even sit properly even after paying pic.twitter.com/zUQO3utYHM— Nilisha Mantri (@nilishamantri_) March 19, 2024Seeking accountabilityMantri tagged the Ministry of Railways, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in her post, demanding answers for the dismal state of affairs. She questioned the rationale behind paying for AC accommodations if passengers were forced to endure conditions akin to general class compartments.Viral outcry and public responseMantris tweet quickly gained traction, garnering over 1.8 million views and prompting a flood of responses from concerned citizens. Many echoed her sentiments, expressing frustration over the lack of improvement in train travel experiences despite government initiatives. Some shared personal anecdotes highlighting the long-standing issue of overcrowding and called for urgent reforms in the railway sector.Calls for reformAs passengers continue to voice their discontent, the spotlight remains on the need for systemic changes within the Indian Railways. While acknowledging past challenges, individuals emphasize the importance of swift action to address current shortcomings and restore faith in the countrys railway infrastructure.
