The Person Beside You on the Train Could Be a Railway Official
The Person Beside You on the Train Could Be a Railway Official
Indian Railways launches undercover inspection campaign to enhance train services and passenger confidence
Indian Railways has launched a new nationwide campaign where officials will travel undercover as regular passengers to inspect trains first-hand. Aimed at improving cleanliness, onboard facilities, and safety standards, this initiative seeks to build public trust and elevate the overall travel experience.
Under the new strategy, passengers may unknowingly find themselves seated next to railway officials who are tasked with inspecting amenities such as toilets, water availability, cleanliness, lighting, fans, charging points, and even linen quality. Officials may also engage passengers directly for feedback, which will be used to implement on-the-spot improvements where needed.
The campaign is already underway in the Prayagraj division, where 25 commercial inspectors inspected 50 trains under the supervision of Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Coaching) Himanshu Shukla. Several shortcomings were identified during these inspections, and immediate corrective measures were taken. The initiative is now set to expand to other divisions across the country.
In addition to onboard inspections, Indian Railways will also conduct surprise ticket checks at stations, on trains, and along railway sections. This move is aimed at curbing fare evasion and enhancing operational efficiency.
The campaign is part of Indian Railways’ broader vision to prioritize passenger comfort, improve service quality, and ensure safer, smoother journeys. During a recent safety review meeting, Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager of South Central Railway, reiterated the importance of safety and emphasized thorough inspection of safety-related infrastructure.
Shukla confirmed that these inspections will continue and will also respond to complaints received through the Rail Madad platform, ensuring sustained attention to passenger grievances and consistent service upgrades.
