An Odisha consumer court has ordered Indian Railways to pay ₹1.30 lakh to a passenger named Chandi Prasad Khamari. The man missed his flight to Guwahati because his train arrived several hours late in Kolkata. The court ruled that railway delays without extraordinary reasons are not acceptable and the department must compensate passengers for their loss.
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How did the passenger miss his flight?
In August 2024, Chandi Prasad Khamari travelled from Jharsuguda to Howrah on Train No. 12129. The train was scheduled to reach Kolkata at 3:55 AM, and he had a connecting flight at 8:05 AM. However, the train started two hours late and reached Kolkata nearly seven hours behind schedule, causing him to miss his flight.
Why did the penalty increase to ₹1.30 lakh?
The court initially ordered a compensation of ₹55,000, which included ₹20,000 for flight losses, ₹30,000 for mental agony, and ₹5,000 for legal costs. Because Indian Railways did not pay this amount within 30 days, a daily penalty of ₹500 was added for over 200 days, bringing the total amount to ₹1.30 lakh.
What was the court’s decision on railway arguments?
Indian Railways argued that punctuality is not guaranteed and delays happen due to operational reasons. The court rejected this, stating that routine maintenance is a normal responsibility and not an excuse. The forum held that as a public utility, the railways are accountable for delays unless they can prove an extraordinary circumstance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why was the passenger awarded compensation?
Chandi Prasad Khamari missed his flight from Kolkata to Guwahati because Train No. 12129 arrived 7 hours late, causing financial loss and mental distress.
What was the final amount paid by Indian Railways?
The total amount was ₹1.30 lakh, which included the original ₹55,000 compensation plus a daily penalty of ₹500 for delaying the payment for over 200 days.
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