In a disconcerting incident that has ignited a flurry of reactions on social media, a passenger travelling on an Indian Railway train shared a distressing image of cockroaches swarming his seat. The incident has raised concerns about the hygiene standards maintained on trains, prompting officials to respond and passengers to share their own harrowing experiences.
The incident came to light when Aatif Ali, a passenger journeying from Delhi to Tirupati, took to Twitter to express his dismay. He posted a photograph that showed cockroaches crawling on the bed and walls of the train compartment. Accompanying the image was a poignant complaint directed at Indian Railways, questioning the promised hygiene levels on trains.
“Train number 12708 A/C compartment had cockroaches roaming on our bodies while we were asleep, WHERE IS THE PROMISED HYGIENE?” tweeted Aatif Ali. The post, shared on August 7, quickly gained traction, amassing over 33,000 views and more than 200 likes. Fellow users flooded the comments section, sharing their own nightmarish encounters on Indian Railway journeys.
In response to the viral tweet, the official handle of Railway Seva addressed the issue. “We request you to please share the journey details (PNR/UTS No.) and Mobile No. with us preferably via DM. You may also raise your concern directly on http://railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in or dial 139 for speedy redressal,” the official account posted.
The incident has opened the floodgates for a discussion on the deteriorating condition of Indian Railway services. One Twitter user wryly remarked, “Lucky you, I had rats for company.” Others expressed their astonishment at the perceived decline in the quality of service, with a comment stating, “State of railways is in its worst phase. Never seen this ever.” The question of whether passengers would dare to travel in such conditions loomed large, as another user inquired, “Will you dare to travel in this AC coach of Indian Railways?”
The shared photograph has been described by some as a “nightmare,” while others simply labeled it as “pathetic.” The incident highlights a persistent issue of cleanliness and hygiene that Indian Railways has been grappling with for some time. While the railways have made efforts to improve services and cleanliness, such instances serve as stark reminders of the challenges that lie ahead.
Passengers are being encouraged to report such incidents promptly for a swift resolution, with the assurance that their concerns will be addressed. As travellers demand better standards and safer environments during their journeys, it remains to be seen how Indian Railways will respond to these grievances and work towards enhancing passenger experiences.
Sources By Agencies
