Four years on, not all AC coaches have plug points as promised by UPA government in 2005
Four years on, not all AC coaches have plug points as promised by UPA government in 2005u00a0
It is four years since 2005, when the UPA government promised to fit all air-conditioned rail coaches with electrical points in a year's time. Passengers, like K Rajiv, whom this correspondent spoke to, are understandably upset because the promise is still a long way from being fulfilled. "I booked an AC II tier seat and took my laptop along. As my coach did not have a plug point, I had to request an AC III tier coach passenger to let me use his point because I just had to work on my laptop," said Rajiv (36).
Contracts have been awarded to the Parel workshop for installing the feature in all coaches in the near future."
Manoj Chaturvedi (38), a businessman, who regularly commutes between Mumbai and Benaras, says he gets fewer facilities than a sleeper class passenger. "Because I pay more, I expect plug points in AC coaches before they are installed in the sleeper compartments," argues Chaturvedi.
"After all, those who travel in AC coaches carry laptops, so they can work as they travel. Today, I am reduced to two choices. I either have to fight with other passengers in the non-AC compartment to let me use his plug point or get off at a station and pay a stall owner and get my phone or laptop charged," Chaturvedi adds.u00a0
Mohammad Aarif, a manager with a Vikhroli firm, who travelled from Krishnaraj-puram in Bangalore to Dadar, says not being able to recharge his mobile phone after paying a small fortune for the ticket was not the only issue. "Last time, the pantry attendants threw leftovers between the compartments, and the stench was unbearable. There was no water in the toilets till I complained," said Aarif.u00a0
Sriniwas Mudgerikar, spokesperson, CR said, "The charging facility will be provided progressively in all coaches. Tampering and misuse of the points are big challenges during the maintenance of the facility."
Long way to go...
Western Railway
228, the number of AC coaches based in Mumbai Central Station
55, the number of coaches that have the promised charging points
Central Railway
700, the number of AC coaches based in CST
500, the number that has charging points
1,100, the number of non-AC coaches based in CST
400, the number of non-AC coaches that have charging points
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