Rajya Sabha MPs flag poor train amenities, call for better services
The Hindu
MPs debate overcrowding, safety, and maintenance issues in Indian Railways, calling for improved services and accessibility for passengers.
Several MPs in the Rajya Sabha on Monday (March 17, 2025) raised concerns over crowded trains and inadequate amenities, with some noting that even first-class compartments face maintenance issues.
Participating in a debate on the working of the Ministry of Railways, NCP-SCP member Fauzia Khan highlighted the overcrowding issue, saying people are travelling in bogies "like cattle".
She noted that even first AC compartments used by MPs from Parbhani, Nanded, Beed, Latur, and Osmanabad face problems like water stagnation in toilets.
"This is the condition of the first class. We cannot imagine what is happening in other general classes," Khan said, also urging the government to reduce ticket fares.
BSP's Ramji expressed worries about train safety, pointing to derailments and accidents "despite introduction of high technology".
Acknowledging Vande Bharat trains as "praiseworthy", he noted that they remain inaccessible to poor passengers and called for a low-budget version.
Ramji also requested additional general compartments during peak seasons and better connectivity between Lakhimpur in Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai and Delhi.
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