[Resolved]  Indian Railways — INCONVENIENCE FACED WHILE TRAVELLING BY 2301 CALCUTTA RAJDHANI EXPRESS ON 6th OCTOBER 2008

Me & my wife travelled by 2301 Calcutta Rajdhani Express on the 6th of October 2008, from Howrah to New Delhi, by AC-3 Tier, coach no. BE-1, holding confirmed tickets, (PNR[protected]. Our seat numbers were 8 and 24.

There was a group of 8 members, travelling in the same coach (i.e. BE-1) on the same date (i.e. 6th of October 2008), by the same train (i.e. 2301), who had only two confirmed berths, berth number 3 and berth number 4. The six other members were holding waitlisted tickets. Before the train started from Howrah, there was an announcement over the public address system inside the train that passengers whose tickets were not shown as confirmed after preparation of the chart were being requested to get down from the train and not to occupy berths/seats reserved for passengers holding confirmed tickets.

However, after the train started, this above mentioned group of 8 members continued to travel in the train in spite of holding only two confirmed berths. The TTE inspected their tickets and did not raise any objection in this regard. Rather, the TTE suggested that the 6 additional members holding waitlisted ticket adjust themselves in the seats along with other passengers and continue their journey to their destination. These extra waitlisted passengers were provided with full catering services and bed linen by the pantry staff and coach attendant respectively. Though I held a confirmed seat (no. 8), I could not sit on my seat comfortably as these excess passengers were occupying my seat. I was very surprised when I saw the TTE visit the coach just before the train reached New Delhi station and enquire these waitlisted passengers whether they had a comfortable journey or not.

I was extremely dis-satisfied as my journey was very uncomfortable. I raised objection and demanded for the Complaint Book, first from the Coach Attenadant. The Coach Attendant never took any interest in my verbal complaint. Instead, he asked me to talk to the TTE. Next, I asked for the Complaint Book from the TTE. He too ignored my verbal complaint and did not give me the Complaint Book, even though I demanded for the same to be obtained from the Train Superintendant.

My complaints are, how can excess passengers, holding waitlisted tickets be allowed by the TTE to travel in the most prestigious train like Rajdhani Express ? How can waitlisted passengers avail of free pantry services and bed-linen while travelling in such a prestigious train ? And, why as a genuine passenger, holding a confirmed ticket, was not provided with the Complaint Book both by the Coach Attendant and the TTE ? Why did I have to travel uncomfortably, inspite of holding a confirmed ticket, my seat being occupied by waitlisted passengers ?