Hi,
Indian railway line is the world’s largest railway line. The railway routes cover a total length of 63, 940 km (39, 230 miles). As of 2005 IR owns a total of 216, 717 wagons, 39, 936 coaches and 7, 339 locomotives and runs a total of 14, 244 trains daily, including about 8, 002 passenger trains. Now, railway is the main source for travelling in India. It divided in Eastern, Western, Northern, southern and central railway. Indian railway connects all the major cities of the India and nearly covers the small towns of India. Although when we talk about the services of Indian railway, it is one of the low quality service provider in every aspects.
Indian population crossed billion marks so the big load also on railway.
Reservation counters never free from morning 8 O’clock to evening 8 O’clock. A long queue always waits for tickets infront of booking windows. Booking windows are not sufficient for any class of tickets at the stations. Travel agents and brokers take benefits of these irregularities. Nowadays people don’t have so time to spend on booking window. So they pay some extra money to the brokers and get ticket. Now this leads to unauthorized ticket booking by the brokers.
Many railway employees are involved with the brokers in unauthorized bookings. Brokers take out tickets by the any name and sell it in double price in peak time. They book the tickets before the 30-45 days. There is no regulation on brokers by the railway.
If I leave some trains, than late coming of trains is as usual as daily routine. There is no consideration and importance of the time. Passengers have to take care and add contingencies time in their schedule.
I have seen the railways T.T.E.s are one of best example of corruption. If anybody missed train or not come, they take money for vacant seats openly from any other passenger who is in waiting list and the eligible passenger never know that his waiting list confirmed in the train.
Even one time when I was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi, T.T.E. came after 5 hours to check the ticket. That time I was in another seat with my friend for sometime and my luggage was in my seat. But T.T.E. came and cancelled my ticket and given to another passenger who had waiting ticket. He didn’t listen to anyone. Train was Swaraj express (Jammu Tawi). That T.T.E. was taking money openly from many people to provide seats and valid passenger didn’t get seat. I complained this irregularity in Delhi railway station. But nothing happened.
And onetime in Delhi, It was the height of Railway, the two Coach (Boggy) was not attached in the train and reservation given to the passengers. After that they attached General class Coach to travel.
Railway website is so slow. Sometimes it opens after waiting very long time.
General class people are the biggest sufferer of railway. If you find chance, see the general class Coach condition. I am horrified how the people travel long distances in such a rushful boggy.
Food is also one of worst kind in trains and costly compared to quality. Hawkers (tea sellers) within trains are very disturbing guys. They continue run from here to there and speak so loudly.
To make a journey by train, people make plans to buy ticket before 15-30 days. Finding a ticket in emergency is so tough. Now ’’Tatkaal’’ reservation is also occupied by the brokers. Needy people unable to find ’’Tatkaal’’ ticket.
In sleeper and general coaches, people sleep in gallery for long journey. Such a heavy rush in trains. Those who have to travel in emergency can’t ignore it. Summers season (Holidays) are the curse for travelers because they have to book tickets before 1 month and in some trains before 45 days.
I can’t say much more about Trains running in South. But the railway stations in Metros are very crowdy. Stations are not well furnished except few.
Railway fare is cheap compared to other means of travel. Local trains are the life of Mumbaikars.IR is the world’s largest commercial or utility employer, with more than 1.6 million employees. These are the few good things with Railway.
N’joy Tours