Senior railway officials travel in second class, interact with passengers during 'Rail Humsafar' programme

Ashish Mehta| TNN | May 27, 2016,

Jaipur: Unlike a regular journey in which senior railway officers board either in special coaches or in air-conditioned coaches, the general manager (GM) of North Western Railway (NWR) and divisional railway manager (DRM), Jaipur got into a second class coach of Jodhpur-Indore Intercity.

It was a special Thursday as senior railway officials hold interaction with passengers as part of week-long 'Rail Humsafar' programme. The officers travelled from Jaipur to Vansathali-Niwai in Jodhpur-Indore Intercity train and returned by Pune-Jaipur superfast.

At some instances, Anil Singhal, GM, NWR and Anjali Goyal, DRM, Jaipur and Tarun Jain, chief public relations officer (CPRO) with their team of officers were happy after receiving good feedbacks and suggestions while at a few times they just jotted down the suggestions and seemed speechless.

"Today the toilets are very clean and hygienic and the train too is clean. This is only because of your arrival. Please ensure that it should be maintained regularly," said Kritika an engineering student travelling in sleeper coach of the Jodhpur-Indore train up to Kota. To this Singhal, said, "You also have a facility of 'clean my train'. I will also urge you to maintain cleanliness by not letting any passenger to leave leftovers in train."

Saadika Bano, a passenger coming from Jodhpur and travelling to Vanasthali, said, "Sir chai ki quality theek karwao. Baaki sab theek hai (Sir please improve the quality of tea, rest all is fine)."

To her suggestions the officers asked if the tea sold in the train is by IRCTC or by vendors and assured the woman to do something for the improvement. Yashpal Jha, a businessman travelling in the train also took a selfie with the officers onboard. On the other hand, Anjali, concerned about safety of woman, told them to use 182 services frequently and urged authorities to find some way out to publicize more about it.

"You should also help us to maintain cleanliness in the coaches by carrying carry bags to put left overs in them and dump them in dustbins," she told a passenger.

Some passengers also complained about non-availability of chilled water in blistering heat conditions at the platforms and within the trains. However, while officers were returning to Jaipur in Pune-Jaipur train they find some satisfied faces too as Sunil Sharma, a passenger travelling from Pune to Jaipur in IInd AC compartment, said, "I am very satisfied with the railways as a rail passenger. Things have improved largely."