Southern Railway Complaints & Reviews

I am a regular traveller in Southern Railways - Brindavan Express and Lalbagh Express between Chennai and Bangalore. For the past one year, there is a lot of trouble given by eunuch's to passengers in this sector. These people do not spare reservation compartments also. They target young men and demand money. If they are not given money they resort to slapping and pinching the men. They use foul language . This is such an inconevenience to passengers. Kindly do something at the earliest.

This is about the train stations that one will come across if one took the train connecting chennai beach and tambaram.

a) Nungambakkam station staircase/ticket collection:
Nungambakkam lies in the heart of the city and the passage way that leads in and out of the nungambakkam station is always crowded. The term "crowded" is rather too simple. The time it takes to cross the stair case is about 10-15 minutes and is highly unsafe. it was not congested when the trains had 9 compartments. The number of compartments have now been increased by 30% and now runs with 12 compartments. The number of people taking the train is increasing day by day since it is far more efficient compared to roadways. But the passage way in nungambakkam station stays the same. To be more dramatic, the situation in the staircase everyday is similar to Ranganathan street. The situation is close to the occurrence of stampede.
The ticket centre in the same station is situated in the junction of the passage way and the ticket queue extends into the passage way.
As a result of the above problem, many people have switched to crossing the tracks of the high speed intercity trains. This is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Solution: The passage width has to be increased and separate passages for people moving in and out should be provided.

b) Cleanliness and Lighting:
There is no dustbin in the stations and therefore the area around the chairs that is meant for waiting passengers in dirty. The lighting should be improved in all the stations.

c) Subway Tambaram Sanatorium:
It has become a regular practice for people to rake the tracks and go beneath the railway gate. The reason is because the subway is not usable. There is no lighting in the subway and is haunted by the local beggars. It is ofcourse flooded in the rainy season. Please make it usable.

This is to request a halt for the train no:s 6527/6528 Yeshwantpur-Cannanore express in Banaswadi Rly station.

This is the only train from north kerala(malabar) to bangalore and this train halts in only one station which is in the extreme corner of Bangalore. Actually this train passes through Banaswadi railway station. So we are just requesting for a stop in this station so that the passengers belong to north bangalore do not have to travel to Yeshwantpur which will take almost 2 hours due to traffic.

Already there have been many request and strikes happened for this however, they do not stop that train in banaswadi. A rumour is there that the private buses plying from banaglore to malabar are bribing them not to allow a station in banaswadi.

Please look in to this issue as therre are many people who are dependent on this train as this is the only one train to malabar region

Respected Sir,

I am a passenger travelling from Kodambakkam to Thiruvanmaiyur,
When I asked for the First class season from Kodambakkam to thiruvanmaiyur. I was informed that there is no first class in the
Beach<-> Velachery route, Then I was also provided with two season tickets one for first-class from Kodambakkam to beach
And another second class season for beach till thirvanmaiyur .
Even if I get the first –class season for the Beach<-> Velachery route we have to travel only in the second class compartments
As Once in a blue moon this 9 car comes in that route .

I was also informed that even if the car in that Beach<-> Velachery route trains have first-class board any passenger can board the
Car .

Normally 6 car Trains will not have a car for First class in that route, today it happened that it was a 9 Car train which had first-class
As there was a heavy rush many people got into the first-class car .

Ticket examiner started querying the passengers why did you get into this First-class car ?

• My understanding here is whenever there is a route with no first class ticket, or season issued then all the cars in the train in that route
Is open to all people those who are holding second class ticket /Season .

Or
• the railways should not ply a 9 car train which has first-class car in it to that specified route

Or
• the ticket examiners should be kept informed about this

This situation was totally embarrassing


Please consider this as a high priority and take a necessary actions in this case

Awaiting your Favorable reply

I am a regular passenger of Train no 6714 Rameshwaram Express between Vriddhachalam and Chennai. I board this train at Vriddhachalam, every Monday morning. The coaches are always dusty. I thought the Indian Railways only runs for passengers, but this train also carries rats, bed insects etc. Every time I am suffering with the same problem. I have taken up this issue with the Coach Attendant each time I travel, but, the end result is the same.

Thank`s & regards,
D.Balakrishnan

Tambaram Railway Station reservation counter parking charges are too high just for 30 mints (which is the minimum time for booking ticket) we need to pay RS:10 for the two wheeler's which is very very high and the person who is collecting money is arrogent and rog guy. He convey all the people who asked about the high parking charges like me was getting lot of scolding from him. He conveyed one more information that person who took contracts...

From
Dr. Mahalakshmi
Chennai 600024


To
The Chief Commercial Manager,
Southern Railways,
Chennai.

Hi! my recent experience is nothing short of nightmarish. I'm Dr. Mahalakshmi,
I had booked two First class AC e-tickets from Kumbakonam to Chennai in Rockfort express on 27/01/09 for travel on 1/2/09, for me and my 83-year-old blind father-in-law. Since it was in waiting list status, (W/L 4 and 5) I arranged for EQ to be released for these tickets at Trichy. PNR [protected].

My ticket got confirmed in 2 AC, (which I came to know later through the Tanjore station master), which I was not updated at Kumbakonam because of system failure, but I had the mobile update on my pnr, which stated that EQ has been released. So we boarded the train as per schedule at 7:45 p.m. and informed the attendants about the EQ release and non listing of our names in the Firstr AC chart. We were asked to wait till TTE takes charge at Papanasam, which I did.

To my utter shock and horror, he was so indifferent and unwilling to accept the facts and refused to check out on the updated PNR status of my ticket. According to him, E-ticket was "just a piece of paper unless confirmed", and mobile confirmation was "just beyond him", he couldn't care any less. He was already thrown in as a "last minute substitute for his absentee colleague and already had his hands full." It was "none of his business to run through the pages of his chart to locate our confirmation", and if our names are not in the First AC list, then we are "traveling Ticketless."

When I pleaded that we be allowed to travel till Trichy, at least in the Sleeper class, where he could check for himself the EQ release, he said he could be penalized by the squad. Not taking into consideration that I'm traveling alone with an 83-year-old blind man, he unceremoniously dumped us in the next station, at Tanjore, threatening to penalize us if we don't comply.

I immediately brought this to the notice of the Station Master at Tanjore, who telephonically confirmed our 2 AC reservation and advised us that we could still catch the same train at Ariyalur. Since it was unsafe to travel on road at that part of the night, alone in an unknown place, and also because of my aged, blind father-in-law, I declined the offer. Also, there was no guarantee that we would reach Ariyalur in time and even if we do, we might run into the same wretched TTE, who might again confront us, I was not inclined to take the risk. So he advised us to take a local train to Trichy, where we might find some help. As for the refund of the Rs.2000/-, he said it would be automatically remitted to my A/c, as it is an e-ticket.

After much hardship we reached Trichy past midnight, and tried various trains till about
3:30 a.m in vain. Finally we were forced to take a rickety old bus to Chennai in the morning. Reached home at noon today (2/1/09).

All these 20 hours of ordeal just because of one inhuman, insensitive, technophobic , who could not flip few pages of his chart!! Why at all Railways should still have such prehistoric animals on its roll is something I fail to understand.

The story is far from over. IRTC site shows my e-ticket as confirmed, hence no refund has been made. Also please let me know why I should not take up this case with the consumer court for blatant negligence and dereliction of duty? I guess we should be entitled not just for the refund of ticket amount, but also deserve to be duly compensated by the Southern railways.

Indignant,


Dr. Mahalskshmi. W

While travelling from Trichy to Tambaram in Guruvayur express on 19th January, we face lots of inconvenience in the D2 reserved Coach.
1. TTR did not check the ticket. No sign on Ticket is an evidence, for which a copy can be sent.
2.Many Passengers without Ticket and who had not reserved had got into the coach.
3. Not able to use the Toilet during the 8 Hours journey because of People crowded near doorways, sitting on floor.
4. Not able to stretch our legs even.
5. Lots of ticketless passengers can enter the coach due to this and what is the use of making reservation in advance.
6. We make reservationexpecting a comfortable journey.
7. No place to keep our luggages.
Action to be taken on the TTR as well as the Authorities responsible to avoid this nuisance in future.

FROM: R.ESTHER HEPZIBA
MAIL ID: [protected]@yahoo.com

We travel at least once every month in train no 2664 TPJ-HWH SUPERFAST EXPRESS and in 2663 TPJ-HWH SUPERFAST EXPRESS . The mode of travel is either 3 AC or 2 AC, maximum in 3 AC. THE BEDROLL TOWEL COMPRISING OF TWO BEDSHEETS, ONE PILLOW, ONE BLANKET AND ONE HANDTOWEL which is supposed to be provided in all AC compartment (barring garibrath trains) is provided ALWAYS WITHOUT THE HAND TOWEL . Only on repeat request towel is given that too with great reluctance. SOMETIMES, NOT ALWAYS, THIS EXTEND TO THE BEDSHEET ALSO.
Most of the times the attendant replies that they have not been supplied with sufficient quantity of towels.
HAVING PAID FULL CHARGE FOR 3 AC FOR NO FAULT OF THE PASSENGER WHY IS THE PASSENGER DENIED THE RIGHT FOR WHICH HE /SHE IS ELIGIBLE FOR ?
CAN THE AUTHORITIES LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND TAKE NECESSARY ACTION?

I have booked a ticket through online booking (IRCTC) from Manapparai to chennai, travel date 18.01.09 for myself and my wife. Our ticket status was WL1 and WL2 before chart preparation. When i checked with the station master in manapparai, he told us that there is no computer to check the ticket status. so i boarded the pandiyan express train on that day. when i asked the TTR whether my ticket is confirmed, he told us that the ticket is cancelled and asked us to get down or pay a sum of Rs.1148. when i asked the station master in trichy, he too told us the same. i was asked not to board the train otherwise i will be handed over to the police. then i boarded a bus and came to chennai. when i checked my account in IRCTC website, i found that my ticket was confirmed and we have got berth in S7 coach (77 and 78). i dont note down the name of the TTR whose irresponsible behaviour has made me lose my money and time

I am travelling now on the 0677 Yeswanthpur - Kochuveli Garib Rath. We left on time at 9pm yesterday (13th Jan 09). Its now 11am and the train is still in Ernakulam town. The train as per the timetable is supposed to reach kottayam at 9.25 am.
The train is running at a speed of 30KMph and is stopping at all railway stations. Its nothing but a pathetic local passenger train with AC.

The Indian railway does not have any respect for the passengers time.

I was impressed when I got into the train . Now I amfustrated the way this train is travelling.

CAn the railways lookinto this and enlighten me why this is happening.

The Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds)
Southern Railways
Thykad P.O.
Trivandrum – 14


Dear Sir,

I myself with family were booked tickets to travel from Ahmadabad to Ernakulam on 18 Sep 08 by Vervel Express (Train No. 6333)- (Reservation from Ahmadabad upto Udupi on 18 Sep 08 in Train No. 6333 and reservation from Udupi to Ernakulam in Marusagar Express(Train No. 2978) on 20 Sep 08).

Consequent to the cancellation of the train by Indian Railways due to natural calamities, we could not able to perform the journey. I had forwarded all documents such as Ticket Nos[protected],[protected] and[protected] along with TDR Nos. 309735 and 309736 dt. 30 Sep 08 in duplicate to the The Chief Commercial Manager (Refunds), Southern Railways, Thykad P.O., Trivandrum – 14 vide Regd. Letter No. A3324 dt. 21 Oct 08. So far neither any intimation nor any refund has been received from the Southersn Railways. Kindly help me in this regard for further course of action.

I am working in ISRO as Scientist-SC, I had booked a ticket from Hassan to H. Nizamuddin for two persons for myself and my pregnant wife viz PNR NO.[protected]ticket number 29620508 for the date 24/10/2008, as it was in waiting list so i had booked one more ticket from chennai to chakki bank for same 2 persons, the first ticket couldn't be confirmed so i decided to travel to chennai to perform onward journey on 26/10/2008 by Andaman...

When a passengers travels through Indian Railway by e ticket mode, they have to produce original identity proofs to the TTR. If some one fails to show the original proof, then they will be treated as "travelling in the train without ticket" - If a passenger forget to have the originals or lost it while travelling and having photo copy of the originals, in this case can't the passenger proove his identity with these photo copies. because the passenger is having original ticket and photo copies of proof and he is asking the railway authority that if they want the original that can be provided in the source station instead of destination station with the help of family member. - i come acorss this kind of situation, where i am not given a change to proove myself, and i was fined Rs.165o, where my tickets costs Rs.484, which is being booked one month before. even in criminal cases laws are giving chance to victims, but for a passenger who is having original ticket, original credit card and photo copy of driving license was not given a chance. I would like to know to whom i have to escalate it.

I have been travelling often through southern Railways especially from Chennai to Salem.
The worst service which i never even heard in my life time.
TTR comes only to check the ticket and goes. There is no police men.
On one side due to winter or rain passengers close the windows. Passengers are started smoking inside the compartments. Ladies, patients, chidlren are suffering like any thing.
In the reserved compartments, ticketless, unreserved passengers are more than the authorised reserved ticket holders.
Passengers are not able to get their food because of heavy crowd? Passengers are not able to go for toilet or to wash their hands?
We see the foods but not able to get the same from the vendors inside the compartments. Even with great difficulties if you get food you cant eat because of such a heavy crowd.
Many passengers like patients, chidlren are suffering for breath because the whole crowd blocked the whole ventilation.
Railway is becoming so worse. All passengers are taking law in their hands, Railway has gone in to the hands of irresponbile persons.
I made so many attempts to see the Centrail Railway Station Master, We can meet and talk to the president of India but not with any Railwa Staff? They are holding such a top position in their office.
They should know their status, they are officiers only for their staff, for administrative reason they have been allotted some posts, that does not mean they have become a head of this country. They should come forward and listen to the grivenses of the guniene caseses.
Even there is no any indication in the ticket, about the phone number, email id with regard to any difficulties to the passengers, they get sponsorship fromt the companies and making money out of stationery. No one is looking after the welfare of the passengers.
Lion Dr S Sekar
India

sir/madam
the passengers who travelin the train between tambaram and chengalpattu suffer many inconveniences.this can be explained from the description of the following incident..on 21/11/08, i started from beach station and got down at tambaram station to catch the train to chengalpattu.the beach to tambaram trains pass in the platforms 1 and 2. the train to chengalpattu used to come in platform no 8 or 9. as usual after getting down in platform no 2 i went to platform no 8 and was waiting for the chengalpattu train(which also starts from beach station).like me many people were waiting. suddenly a train came in the platform no 6 and many ppl started going towards it. some how i managed to assume that it was the train to chengalpattu. most of the ppl started running and finally i reached the train and got in to the compartment and just then the train started.if i see this situation in a selfish manner nothing serious or inconvenience had happened. but as the train started i could see an old man who was carrying two baggages still running towards the train, an old woman inspite of her weak body trying to run faster to catch the train, a young woman who was carrying her two children showing signs of disgust in her inability to reach the train...and so on and on...such scenes.. what i suggest is that, why cant the officials be responsible and alert that the sweet recorded voice of the woman which announces the arrival and the departure of the trains in three languagesfor the trains which travel bw tambaram and beach for every 7 minutes was not able to make announcement of the information for the chengalpattu train for which the passengers had to wait for a minimum of 40 min if they miss one train..

Being a First Class Season Ticket Holder, I boarded front end first class compartment of MAS-NLR 13.45 local train at BBQ on 15.11.2008. One unscrupulous railway men was sleeing in the first class seat along with his wife. When I asked the railwayman's wife to spare the seat for sitting, the uncivilized railwaymen (his identity not known, but his two legs were amputated) suddenly started in high pitch with unfilthy words amids entire public as though I have done anything wrong. Clearly, he is not authorised to travel in the First Class compartment and people similar to him travel with his behaviour and create untold sufferings and hardships to gullible First Class Travellers like me. This is the perennial problem where authorities concerned take no action. Please do something in this regard or else things may go out of control.

Dear Sir,
This complaint about CHETPET booking clerk.
I am traveling frequently from Chennai Chepet to Palavanthangal. The booking clerk who is issuing tickets are behaving using abused words and shouting public. When i asked for tickets for Mambalam return she is giving ticket for Mambalam (One way) only and the booking clerk is telling me to take ticket in Mambalam. Also, the lady clerk who is giving ticket is not hearing properly and she is through the hard earning money to the public and telling to go by bus... The railway is for public or for the staff like booking clerk. They are thinking that railway is their property... If somebody watches the scenario for a day they will come to know what really happening in CHETPET railway station BOOKING OFFICE.
The matter be taken seriously and action may be taken accordingly.

Dear Sir,
I had one of the worst experience of my life time with southern railways yesterday. I was supposed to travel from podanur( coimbatore) to mangalore by mangalore express (2685). If you see the irctc website the trains running date are mentioned as Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. But the irony is train starts on Monday 17:00 hours from chennai... so ideally they have to mention the running date as Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Because of this confusion i booked a ticket from podanur to mangalore on Tuesday thinking that the train will reach podanur on wednesday early morning 00:15 hrs to podanur. But there was no train and i went through severe mental trauma because of this incident.
even now please check this in irctc website. the error is still there..i don't know how many passengers have underwent this confusion..
Is there any possiblity of getting back the ticket money...also can i put a case on southern railways under consumer protection act...i would be grateful if anybody can guide me on this issue...
thanking you
karthik

Respected Sir,

The house hold items sent from TCR from MAS on 14th of Sep08 not yet received in chennai. On 16th I went to parcel office at central and the parcel was not received there . As per the instruction of parcel officers, I searched whole the platforms but no result. The same day I had given a complaint in NR Cell with the complaint No 15. After the complaint, I was contacting the NR Cell on a daily basis. But no response from there. With out house hold items I am suffering a lot in chennai. Today I met Mr.Siril raj (Dy Commercial Manager). As per his instruction I went to Divisional office chennai to meet Mr. Varadarajan (DCM). All the details given to them.

I spoke to TCR parcel officer Mr John. As per them the consignment has been loaded in the front SLR on the same date . There was another consignment also in the same SLR to Varanasi (149079 and 149080).
The consignment to Varanasi was reached there on time. As per the information from the parcel officer in central, the front SLR was unmanned and unsealed . as per him there was nothing in the SLR. But If there is no consignments in the SLR, how the Varanasi parcel will reach there?

Whenever I am calling for the status of the parcel I am getting only one answer :" Pls claim it for Rs 50/kg" . There was no action taken by the railway staffs other than telephone calls to stations for tracing my parcel.

Pls help me in tracing out my house holds as Me and my family is suffering with out the needful things. even my cloths and other important things were in the parcel.The last 15 days I am not able to function my office as I am searching for the parcel in Railway offices.


Pls look in to the matter as urgent.


Details are :


RR No: 394183.
SLR No: 00750
Train No. 6042
Date of dispatch: 14 the Sep 08
Complaint No in NR Cell : 15
From : TCR
To : MAS
Consignments : 3 boxes and one bed covered with cardboard.