As a senior citizen and a frequent train traveller, I am not in a position to share the enthusiasm of our Railway Minister over the decision to retrofit train coaches with “modern amenities” such as modular toilets, LED lights and fire and smoke detection systems (“40,000 train coaches to be retrofitted”, June 14). One should travel by reserved, ordinary, second class coaches to experience the travails of the average passenger. Ticketless travellers lay siege to the passageways and the approach to the toilets which are always soiled. Added to this is their unwieldy luggageacross commonspace.The elderly and women with children have to think several times before using the using the toilets.
The less said the better about the TTEs, who seem as helpless as the passengers and go about their job of ticket checking mechanically. During the monsoons, the coach floor is wet. The TTEsnever even think of summoning the RPF to evict unauthorised passengers.
Ticketless travellers seem to enjoy the journey more than bonafide passengers. Let the funds earmarked for refurbishing coaches be spent on ensuring a hassle-free journey. Train travellers would be only too willing to pay extra for a safe and comfortable journey. Ironically, a note painted on most coaches says that a complaint book is available with the train superintendent, who is never to be seen.
S. Vasudevan,
Chennai
