Travelling in First AC became a scary experience for a passenger. Click to learn more

A journey aboard the AC-1 coach of the Delhi Sarai Rohilla SuperFast Express turned into a nightmare for Kushal Mehra, who took to social media to recount his ordeal. 

Mehra, a self-employed textile entrepreneur, shared his frustration on platform X (formerly Twitter) on May 2, detailing the presence of ticketless passengers blocking the aisle outside his cabin.

And it gets cleared when they find out I tagged the minister. I am never traveling by trains ever again in my life. pic.twitter.com/dc84d8BviV

— कुशल मेहरा (@kushal_mehra) May 2, 2024

In a post that quickly gained traction, Mehra expressed his dismay at encountering a group of women occupying space outside his compartment, hindering his movement within the coach. Despite seeking assistance from the train attendant, Mehra’s concerns were allegedly dismissed, leaving him feeling powerless and disillusioned with the situation.

Addressing the Ministry of Railways in his post, Mehra highlighted the apparent lack of action taken to address the issue of ticketless travel, particularly in the AC-1 coach designated for reserved passengers. His call for accountability resonated widely, prompting discussions on social media about the prevalence of unauthorized passengers in train compartments.

Hours after Mehra’s post garnered attention online, he noted a sudden disappearance of the ticketless passengers, suggesting a swift response following his public outcry. However, his disillusionment with the situation led him to vow against future train travel, reflecting the frustration felt by many passengers grappling with similar challenges.

The official X account of Northern Railway, India reacted to Kushal’s post as it garnered over 6 lakh views.

This incident adds to a growing trend of complaints regarding overcrowded and poorly managed train coaches, with passengers sharing images and videos depicting cramped conditions and compromised safety standards. From overcrowded sleeper coaches to malfunctioning air conditioning systems in AC-2 coaches, passengers have raised concerns about the quality of travel experience and the need for improved enforcement of ticketing regulations.

As Mehra’s experience underscores, addressing the issue of ticketless travel requires concerted efforts from railway authorities to uphold the integrity of reserved compartments and ensure a comfortable and secure journey for all passengers.