Kovilpatti Railway Station - Super Clean !

It is a common sight in railway stations to see coffee cups on the railway tracks, empty chips/biscuit covers/wrappers on the platforms and most importantly, overflowing trash bins. But, Kovilpatti Railway Station is an exception. Kovilpatti is a well known city in South Tamilnadu. Recently, I boarded a train from Kovilpatti Railway Station. I was amazed by the cleanliness of the Kovilpatti Railway Station.

There was absolutely no trash in Kovilpatti Railway Station - be it on the platforms as well as on the railway tracks. I always believed that rules alone cannot change people’s behavior. In addition to coming up with rules, you need to educate people, and make it simple/easy for people to follow the rules. For example, in Kovilpatti Railway Station, I noticed that there are multiple sign boards educating the passengers to keep the railway station clean. In addition, there were trash bins kept at least once every 100 ft. This makes it easy for people to dump trash in a trash bin, nearby.

Any shop that sells food items has a trash bin nearby. Also, there is a sign board that clearly lists down the various rules which have to be followed by the food vendor - as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) policies. They have also mentioned the owner’s phone number and FSSAI phone number for filing a compliant - if the passengers found that the shop keepers are violating any of the rules.

Also read: A ban on spitting pan in public places - who enforces it?

It is not just the cleanliness of the station that stood out. The authorities have worked hard to provide a great overall experience to the passengers. The station has a good parking facility and they charge just Rs.10. There is a chart on the wall near the entrance of the railway station which clearly describes the location of various coaches in the platform, for different trains. There is also abundant seating space in the railway station. In fact, they have a separate seating area for second class passengers. That facility is well maintained too (including the rest rooms that are maintained very clean). If there is one challenge, it is the number of mosquitoes. You cannot escape from the mosquito bite. I don’t know what authorities can do for that, given the vegetation around the station.

(Also read: Traveling near restrooms in Train isn't fun)

The drinking water taps at the station are functional too - which is again a rare thing to see in such railway stations.

I get thrilled when I see a clean public place... as it takes lots of efforts/support from both the authorities and the public. I hope Kovilpatti Railway Station - continues to be super clean. Waiting for a day when our Chennai Egmore and Chennai Central becomes like Kovilpatti Railway Station.

(Also read: If I don't care, who will care)

Traveling near restrooms in the train isn't fun

I had an interesting (rather horrendous) experience during my return trip from Tiruppur, last week. I had booked two tickets (for me & my wife) from Tiruppur to Chennai. Both the tickets were in the Waiting List (single digit waiting list number) until the last day. Most of the times, the wait listed tickets get confirmed just before the charts were prepared. Unfortunately, only one of the two tickets got confirmed during the day of the journey. I went to the station and checked at the "Inquiry" department. The person at the counter recommended me to board the train & check with the TTE if there are any vacant berths. It was too late for me to cancel the train tickets & to take a bus to Chennai. Also, it won't be comfortable to travel in a bus, with a kid (There is only one stop in-between the whole journey & kids cannot control peeing in-between). I decided to take a chance - hoping that I would definitely get a berth since I'm traveling with a female & kid.

The train (Allepey Express) came to Tiruppur at around 10.45 pm and we boarded the train. To our surprise, there were already 3 folks sitting near the restrooms because their tickets are wait listed. All the lights inside the coach were switched off and the coach was completely dark. All the other passengers were in deep sleep. I asked my wife and kid to get into the confirmed birth. I waited for the TTE to show up. The train started to move and pick up speed. I waited with the other 3 passengers near the restrooms. The TTE showed up in about 15 minutes. He said all the berths are booked and there are no vacant seats. At about 11 pm, the train stopped at Erode and all my 3 companions got down/vanished.

I was the lonely person sitting near the door/restrooms. It was not a pleasant experience, though. I was very tired and fell asleep in about 30 minutes. However, I couldn't continue to sleep for more than an hour. The smell emanating from the restrooms was constantly increasing as more and more passengers start to use them. To add to this, there was a trash bin close to the restrooms. It was filled with cockroaches and mosquitoes, that were busily scavenging the left overs of food parcels. I couldn't imagine how I was able to sit there for such a long time. But, I didn't have any other option. My eyes started to burn and I went back to sleep again. Around 4 am, the TTE stopped by and asked me to take a vacant berth. I had a sound sleep for 2 hours.

The few hours that I spent near the restrooms made me to think about several issues in the system - the 'automated' ticketing system that confirmed just 1 out of 2 tickets, the unhygienic condition of the restrooms, the fate of poor passengers who travel in cramped 'unreserved' compartments etc., At least, I was better-off traveling in an A/C coach :) I'm thankful to the TTE who let me stay in the A/C coach. The state of unreserved coaches is pathetic. They are packed with people and there is hardly any space to walk or even to comfortably sit. We keep talking about human values and human rights. But, people are packed like cattle in these unreserved coaches. When would the system change? I'm very confident that the system wouldn't change, unless we do something about it.

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I love IRCTC.CO.IN
Skywalks in Train Stations - What are they for?
If I don't care, who'll care?

Skywalks in train stations - what are they for?

This weekend I went to Mambalam station to receive my wife who was returning back from TUT. The train was delayed by an hour and a half. I got ample time to sit back & relax. It was Saturday morning, 8 am. Mambalam station was without its usual fanfare. I was silently enjoying what was going around me. Passengers of diverse age groups ... small kids to old folks, hopping in & out of the trains that pass by. The station master who comes out of his room religiously to wave Green flag to all the passing trains. But, the thing that stood out very significantly, is almost all the people (90+%) didn't use the skywalks to cross the platforms. The engineer in me started to analyze the problem & come up with solutions.

First of all, the present skywalk is at one extreme corner of the station. Second of all, reaching the other platform by crossing the railway tracks is damn easy. Despite the fact that I'm educated, I too was tempted to cross the tracks - but, managed to resist my temptation. How can we expect the 'common man' to NOT cross the railway tracks? People always tend to take the 'shortest possible route' to their destination - unless they're stopped by an iron hand or there is a serious threat to their life. All the trains start to sound horn few Kilometers before the station. So, people feel that it is absolutely safe for the passengers to cross the tracks. But, it is not true. Watch out this video.



How do you stop it? Well, this is indeed a tough question.

Constructiong another skywalk that is close enough - Do you think people will take the pain of climbing the stairs (even if it is close enough), to cross the railway tracks? Absolutely, NOT.

Putting an Iron fence between the tracks - We may think that putting a fence between the tracks would solve the problem. However, people are bold enough to create walkways by breaking the fences. I've seen that in Nungambakkam station. Even metal rods/plates are broken by people to create walk ways.

Putting an electric fence between the tracks - This will technically solve the problem. However, it is not feasible to implement this solution. There will be unnecessary use of power/electricity. Also, if somebody unknowingly touches the fence, they may die. Government may not be willing to implement this.

Constructing a flyover for trains - The train stations will be in the first floor & passengers have to take the stairs to hit the road. This would sound like a logical solution. However, there is huge cost involved in constructing flyovers for trains. Also, the metro trains would consume more electrical energy to pull the coaches up over the flyover & then come back again to the ground level.

Putting a guard who will help people to cross the tracks in a designated area - The role of the gaurd will be like a traffic police. He has to stand in the sun/rain all day. He will get uptodate information regarding the arrival of trains in a hand-held device. He'll use that information to guide people to cross the railway tracks. This seems to be an OK solution. But, it may be difficult for the government to hire 'guards' for each & every metro train station. Also, considering the number of people who cross the tracks, it would be 'tough' for the guard to single-handedly manage/guide the crowd without any accidents.

Constructing a travelator/escalator/elevator - This is definitely a good solution. However, it involves lots of cost (for the initial installation & the subsequent maintenence/operation). Moreover, these systems cannot be used by several people at once. So, considering the current population & economical state of India, this solution is also ruled out.

Let trains not to sound horns when they cross a station - Once this policy is implemented, few people will die when they try to cross the tracks. However, it will create a 'fear' among the rest. There will be handful of people, who will still try to cross the railway tracks without using the skywalks. The government may not be excited to implement this solution.

I couldn't think of a single solution that is cost-effective & easy to implement. I'm doubtful, if there is a real solution to this problem unless India becomes a 'developed' nation (people are educated/disciplined & there is lots of money to carryout such infrastructure projects). I'm very eager to hear feedback from others to solve this problem. If you can come up with something, please do let me know.

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If I don't care, who'll care?
Traveling near restrooms in the train isn't fun

If I don't care, who will care?

I had a memorable travel experience from Tuticorin to Chennai. This time, for a change, I had booked my tickets in the "sleeper class". "Sleeper class" tickets cost only 30% of what you normally pay for "Third AC" tickets.

It is nearly 10+ years since I traveled in "sleeper class". My brain is still fresh with memories of "train travel" during my college days. During those days, "sleeper class" travel is a "luxurious thing". I normally used to travel in "unreserved" coach because it is very inexpensive. Unreserved coaches are typically packed with people. You'll be lucky if you get a chance to stretch your legs because someone will either be sitting or sleeping near your feet. During college days, the thought of traveling in 'sleeper class' excites me. First of all, I get a chance to properly "sleep" during my travel. Second of all, I get a chance to travel with all my college friends in "sleeper class". So, with all those sweet memories, I stepped into the "sleeper class" coach at Tuticorin.

I was first shocked to see the condition of the coach. Most of the things inside that coach was either rusty or dirty. The rest room was in pathetic condition - handles were 'sticky'; taps weren't clean; and there was a bad smell. The restroom had a western toilet and there were plastic bottles inside the toilet sink. I couldn't stop the tears that popped out from my eyes. Having traveled in 2nd AC & 3rd AC coaches recently, I know Indian Railways, maintain the rest rooms there, in a very good condition. But, the "sleeper class" rest rooms were in terrible condition. I couldn't imagine how the "unreserved coach" rest rooms will be. Why are people treated differently? Aren't the people traveling in "sleeper coach", HUMANS? (Also read: A ban on spitting pan in public places - who enforces it?)

I got down from the train at Mambalam and took a metro train to Nungambakkam. The coach was filled with people. Right after entering the coach, I smelled something very bad. I then observed that some of the other passengers have closed their nose with hand kerchiefs. I was looking around to find out where the smell was coming from. The thing that I saw, moved me very emotionally, again. There were human faeces on the floor spread out in a 3 ft x 3 ft area. It was in a dried up condition. I resisted the smell and got down at my station. But, I pitied the people, who were sitting in that coach for the rest of their journey.

I'm an educated youth. I'm passionate about my country. I get moved when I see things go wrong in front of my eyes. But, I didn't take any actions on that day. I didn't complain to anyone about the 'unclean' toilets or the 'nasty' condition of the coach in the metro train. I minded my OWN job on that day. If a person like me doesn't care for the society, who will care?

I see people on the road, violating traffic signs; I see people crossing railway tracks when there are well laid skywalks; I see people dumping trash on the road side when there are proper dumpsters; I see people using the road side as rest rooms; I see sewage gushing out of potholes on the roads, causing hygiene threats. But, I haven't taken any action.

(Also read: Kovilpatti Railway Station - Super Clean!)

Am I too selfish that I don't care about what happens around me? Why am I minding my own job? Do I also behave like an ordinary citizen of India? Am I expecting the government to take care of everything? Don't I have a responsibility towards this society? I'm privileged to have good education, health and wealth. Why shouldn't I be caring about this? If I don't care, who will care? If I don't take action, who will?

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I love IRCTC.CO.IN 
Traveling near restrooms in the train isn't fun
Skywalks in Train Stations - What are they for?

I love IRCTC.CO.IN

IRCTC - Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation

In the last few years, Indian Railways has made great strides in improving the booking & travel experience of passengers. There are so many trains with improved service and faster travel time. My favorite of all the things from Indian Railways, is the online booking facility. I can book my train tickets at the click of my mouse. I don't have to go to the nearest booking center; I don't have to stand in long queues; I don't have to keep calling the railways to find the current status of my tickets; I don't have to have cash with me to book tickets. IRCTC.CO.IN has relieved us from all those sufferings. Ofcourse, IRCTC.CO.IN does have some shortcomings (web site is very slow, web site doesn't respond back at times, money once debited due to network issues/invalid transactions are returned to you only after 3 business days, web user interface is not very intuitive, etc.,). But, can I live with these problems? Yes, I surely can. I use IRCTC.CO.IN for all my travel reservations. They also have additional services such as providing tour packages, hotel reservations etc., I haven't had a chance to try them out, yet. But, I soon will.

I love IRCTC.CO.IN. Good job folks.

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Traveling near restrooms in the train, isn't fun
Skywalks in Train Stations - What are they for?
If I don't care, who'll care?