The Bhopal District Consumer Commission has imposed a fine of ₹15,000 on Indian Railways for a serious lapse in service during a journey from Nagpur to Bhopal. A group of senior citizens with confirmed AC tickets was forced to travel in a crowded general coach near the toilet because their assigned coach was missing from the train. This decision highlights the legal accountability of the railways toward passenger comfort and confirmed bookings.
ℹ: Ramagundam Railway Station: Telangana gets revamped high-tech Amrit Station with modern facilities।
What happened during the Nagpur-Bhopal journey on Amritsar Express?
Manglesh Kumar Joshi and three other senior citizens had booked confirmed seats in the DL-1 AC coach of the Amritsar Express (Train Number 22125). When they reached Nagpur station on November 30, 2024, they discovered that the DL-1 coach was not attached to the train at all. Despite having SMS confirmations and valid seat allocations, the railway staff on duty could not provide them with their designated seats. Instead, the passengers were advised to board the general compartment to continue their journey.
Details of the Consumer Commission verdict and fine
The Bhopal Consumer Commission, led by President Giribala Singh, ruled that the absence of the coach was a clear case of serious deficiency in service. The commission rejected the railway’s defense that the coach was attached, noting a lack of evidence to prove its presence on that day. The total fine of ₹15,000 was broken down as follows:
- ₹10,000 as compensation for the mental harassment and physical distress faced by the elderly passengers.
- ₹5,000 to cover the legal expenses incurred by the complainant during the case.
The commission noted that traveling in a crowded general coach near a toilet during the cold season was a significant hardship for the senior citizens. This ruling serves as a reminder for the railways to ensure that all scheduled coaches are properly attached to trains as per the reservation charts.