The next time you book your ticket on the Indian Railways, you need to watch out for trouble.
If you have a ticket as CNF (Confirmed ) there is no problem. But if you are on a WL (Waiting List Number ) then you could be a victim of corruption by the TTE (Train Ticket Examiner) once you board the train. You will be assured all "assistance" once you get in the train. But the "assistance" could be a costly affair or a travel nightmare. So read on. Of the 72 seats in a 3 tier SL Sleeper Class 62 seats are allotted as CNF so one can ensure a good sleep during a night journey from 2100 hrs to 0600 hrs . But if one is allotted the following seat numbers 07, 15, 23,31,39,47,55,63,71, then these will be allotted against an RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation ). These seats are side berths along the aisle and are NORMALLY intended for seating both during day and night . However this could be converted into a single sleeper seat at night from 2100 hrs to 0600 hrs only if the other "does not turn up". It is here that there is reason to suspect that fictitious passenger names are added at various boarding points and later shown as cancellations. To prove this point the Southern Railway authorities are being asked to examine the conduct of a Train Ticket Examiner. Mr. K T Ramachandran. In a recent incident on 21st April 2004 Train Number 6346 Netravati Express (Thiruvanthapuram to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Kurla) a journey undertaken from Calicut to Madgaon departure time 1930 hrs (delayed to 2000 hrs) it was reported by three passengers having ticket booked on 13.4.2004 bearing PNR number (Passenger Name Record) 422, 9545275 ( 10 digit numbers)that they were Wait Listed (WL) as per the chart displayed on the notice board at the Calicut Station . The seat Numbers allotted to Passenger 1 , 2 and 3 Sleeper Coach � 6 (S-6) were Nos 39, and both 47 & 47 respectively . These passengers realized that these were the seats where only seating journey could be undertaken and hence made persistent pleas with the TTE Mr. K T Ramachandran of Southern Railways for a CNF (confirmed seats) . The TTE bluntly admitted that there was no such scope for any sleeper berth and stated that the journey 657 kms at night would have to be undertaken seating . However when he was told that the fares paid Rs 798 by the passengers was inclusive of the sleeping facilities and that "assistance " would be provided once in the train the TTE still expressed his helplessness and stated that refund could be taken only from the booking station . The passengers thought best to resign to their fate. However surprisingly after a long wait until 2200 hrs and just on crossing ELIMAL Station these passengers were suddenly given the sleeper berth on the same seat no 39, 47 & an additional one on 71 by the TTE but there was no sign of the mysterious passengers pruported to be booked on the same seats . When the TTE was asked to explain how the seats were suddenly available at 2200 hrs he explained that some passengers in Ernakulam had not boarded the train and hence the seats were now available. This was unjustified as the time of two hours wait was far beyond the normal grace time offered to a passenger i.e either the next immediate station or within half hour after Ernakulam before a seat of a passenger who has failed to undertake the journey is alloted to another. The passengers then asked him to produce the boarding lists from each boarding station to confirm the same but he could not indicate why the delay of two hours in granting the seats. The Southern Railways have been asked to enquire into the same and provide a satisfactory explanation. However by way of an abundant caution the next time you board the trains on the Indian Railways beware of the seat Nos numbers 07, 15, 23,31,39,47,55,63,71. Because these seats are only subject to "assistance" rendered by the TTE. Further between 0600 hrs to 2100 hrs seat Nos 02,05,10,13,18,21,26,29,34,37,42,45,50,53,58,61,66,& 69 even if confirmed provide discomfort if the passengers desire to sleep during day journey as they are in the middle of the three tier seating arrangement . Similarly during the day CNF seat Nos 08, 16, 24, 32, 40 48, 56,64,72, could be troublesome as these seats do not provide scope to seat being the topmost berth. All others provide a HAPPY JOURNEY or Subha Yatra as the Railways slogan mention. Godfrey J I Gonsalves Borda Margao Goa ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner online. http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony/ ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
