Indian Railways demonstrated its commitment to addressing passenger grievances by taking swift action in response to a recent overcharging incident. A passenger traveling on the Pooja SF Express reported being charged ₹20 for a Rail Neer water bottle, which is officially priced at ₹15. The catering service responsible for this violation was penalized ₹1 lakh for the unethical practice.
Viral Video Highlights the Incident
The complaint came to light when a passenger traveling in the 3rd AC economy class recorded a video of the vendor justifying the overcharge, claiming it was necessary to “earn a living.” The video, lasting 1 minute and 47 seconds, quickly went viral on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The passenger, after purchasing the bottle, immediately filed a complaint using the railway helpline number 139.
139 पर आई ओवरचार्जिंग की शिकायत, रेलवे ने लिया फटाफट एक्शन, कैटरिंग कंपनी पर लगा एक लाख का जुर्माना।
यात्रियों को ओवर चार्जिंग की राशि की गई रिटर्न! pic.twitter.com/8ZaomlEWml
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) November 23, 2024
Railways Enforces Strict Pricing Rules
Indian Railways acted promptly by imposing a ₹1 lakh fine on the catering service. Along with the penalty, a formal statement reaffirmed the railways’ zero-tolerance policy towards overcharging and unethical practices. This action serves as a clear warning to all vendors to strictly adhere to pricing regulations.
Following the incident, a representative of the catering service refunded the ₹5 overcharge to the passenger. The passenger also urged the vendor to return the excess amount charged to other passengers in the coach.
Reporting Grievances Made Easy
Indian Railways encourages passengers to report any grievances through multiple channels:
- Helpline Number: Dial 139 to lodge complaints.
- Online Portal: Submit details on the Indian Railways website.
- RailMadad: Use the grievance form to file and track complaints.
- SMS: Send complaints to 91-9717680982.
- Security Issues: For concerns related to safety, call 182.
Indian Railways’ decisive action in this case highlights its dedication to maintaining fair practices and ensuring passenger satisfaction.
Have you ever faced overcharging by railway vendors? Share your experiences in the comments!
