DRM boards a train, gets first-hand feedback on service

Most passengers complain about lack of hygiene in coaches

Divisional Railway Manager A.K. Aggrawal (right), interacting with passengers of the Tiruchi-bound Cholan Express at Kumbakonam station on Saturday.— Photo: Special Arrangement

Passengers travelling by the S2 Sleeper Class coach of the Chennai Egmore-Tiruchi Cholan Express on Saturday were in for a pleasant surprise at the queries emanating from a fellow traveller.

Who will not be pleased if they were quizzed by the Divisional Railway Manager on the facilities and their convenience on a speeding train.

Tiruchi Divisional Railway Manager A.K. Aggrawal, who was returning from Mayiladuthurai in his Inspection Car attached to the Cholan Express, got off his salon and boarded the S2 Sleeper Class coach of the Cholan Express at Kumbakonam station and straight away started interacting with fellow passengers.

At first, the bemused passengers found it hard to gulp that the top divisional railway official was reaching out to them but as awe gave way to reality, they started reeling off their wish list.

Some passengers pointed to the unkempt coaches and urged him to do something to shore up the image and the hygiene of the compartments in the train.

A cheeky traveller recalled the cleanliness campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and wondered when that would reach the trains.

With the benefit of first hand information on the condition of coaches, Mr. Aggrawal promised to look into the cleanliness aspect of the coaches in trains and assured the passengers that things would get better in the days ahead.

Another passenger pointed to the seating arrangement at the day time train that travels more than 400 km from Chennai to Tiruchi via Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam and Thanjavur on the main line all through the day. Instead of sleeper class coaches it would be better if chair cars were provided in the Cholan Express, said the passengers.

As the train headed to Tiruchi, the DRM and his retinue of officials, including Divisional Commercial Manager Madhu and Divisional Operations Manager Rathi Priya, got to know from passengers their needs.

Earlier, upon arrival at Kumbakonam Station, the DRM was welcomed by Station Manager G. Sivaraman and A. Giri, Member, Divisional Rail Users' Consultative Committee.