The alleged indifference of Southern Railway to rectifying a technical problem with the Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai Mail has come in for sharp criticism.
The issue of severe jerking of the passenger coaches was brought to the notice of Railways way back on December 12, 2013, when a two-year-old child fell from the lower berth of the train, injuring her head.
V. Praveen of Kaipuzha, near Pandalam, says he complained to the Railway Divisional Manager about the jerking of the coaches when the train stopped, started, and during braking.
Railways promptly replied to Mr. Praveen’s complaint registered at the Public Grievance Portal (Complaint Reference No. W/SR/TVC/0022818. Report Complaint: Train No. 12624 Coach No. B2 Berth/ / Seat No. 31 PNR No. 4455100147).
Southern Railways closed the case with a brief note on January 10, 2014, saying that “Your complaint dated 12-12-2013, registered at PGPORTAL is hereby acknowledged. It is to state, the jerks experienced in Centre Buffer Coupler (CBC)-fitted coaches will be reduced by placing shims during maintenance. However, the maintenance supervisor has been advised to provide shims in the CBC fittings alignment.”
The reply concludes with Railways thanking the complainant “for bringing the issue to the notice of the Railway Administration,” and adding that “We assure you to serve better always.”
However, Mr. Praveen alleges that the severe jerking of the Chennai Mail coaches persists. Though he tried to raise the matter with the Divisional Railway Manager again over telephone on June 3, the latter said Railways were studying the problem.
Mr. Praveen said the matter was reported to the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for Railways a few days ago.
Railways’ indifference to complaint alleged
2-year-old hurt in 2013 when she fell from lower berth
