'Ticketless' Passengers Occupy AC Sleeper Coach On Train; Railway Seva Reacts

Travelling on Indian Railways often presents challenges, with overcrowding emerging as one of the most pervasive issues. Now a video doing rounds on social media shows people swarming the AC compartments and locking the coaches from inside. Recently, an X user shared this video and wrote, “Ticketless travellers ‘occupied’ the AC sleeper coach….did someone mention a bullet train?”

The video pointed out fundamental shortcomings in the daily operations of Indian Railways. In the comments, many people demanded strict action against people who travel without reserved tickets or move away from their unreserved train coach into the AC coach. In contrast, many others noted that penalizing passengers is only a short-term solution and instead, the government should increase train frequency on busy routes.

Many also alleged that the Indian Railways has been putting more expensive AC coaches in trains by replacing sleeper or second-class coaches which has made train travel unaffordable for many and added to the stress in unreserved coaches. This sometimes forces people to move to other compartments that are less crowded.

As soon as the video went viral, Railway Seva replied, “We request you to please share the journey details (PNR/UTS No.) and Mobile No. with us preferably via DM. You may also raise your concern directly on http://railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in or dial 139 for speedy redressal.”

Meanwhile, an X user wrote, “Trains are full & people desperately need to travel. Strict actions won’t solve it. We need solutions like more trains on busy routes.”

Another person spoke against penalisation and wrote, “You want to penalise people who are forced to get into AC coaches because government has reduced sleeper coaches and trains in favour of unaffordable AC trains. What do you expect the poor to do? Walk???”

Someone noted, “We need a stat on the number of general/sleeper compartments reduced in busy train routes. This is clearly the result of the reduction of general compartments, and this trend has increased post-COVID. Govt. will realise this only when these people onboard a vandhe bharat like this.”

https://twitter.com/ramjiyagna/status/1780157400265454015

Many people also suggested a more advanced ticketing infrastructure and “access control” mechanisms. An X user suggested, “The railways should seriously consider providing access controlled systems at all stations. People will find it difficult initially but will get used to it over a period of time. Just like the metro. However, implementing such a system at a national level will be very challenging.”

Making a similar point, another person wrote, “From a recent experience, train station in Europe, passengers allowed into the station only minutes before their train arrives and through a scan of their ticket. What stops us from implementing the same? And do away with no reservation coaches if we cannot manage those crowds.”

To cope with overcrowding during the festive season, the government launches special trains and diverts more trains on busy routes but because such measures are not implemented for the rest of the year, overcrowding remains an issue.