Is this ‘World Class Service’? 7 Ticket Counters, Only 2 Open at M’luru Central Railway Station

Is this ‘World Class Service’? 7 Ticket Counters, Only 2 Open at M’luru Central Railway Station

Is this World Class Service? 7 Ticket Counters, Only 2 Operational at Mangaluru Central Railway Station. Every time Union Ministers or State Ministers or MP/MLC/MLA’s visit Mangalore Central Railway Station, they all give assurances that the station will be World Class with latest technology and other advanced facilities- but it seems like always, there is no progress at all. While they are all planning on making this Railway station “World Class’, the officials should fix the existing problems like stinking restrooms, filthy railway tracks with human feces/garbage/etc; no better choice of food at the stalls, other than the same old food items like Vada, Samosa, Buns, Puffs; and one that is putting the travelers in hardship is the lack of railway staff at the ticket reservation counters, where out of seven ticket issuing counters, only two are open all the time, since years.

Mangaluru: Purchasing advance train tickets at the Mangalore Central Railway Station Reservation counters has been a nightmare every time you go there, since years and still continues to be the same. Even though there are seven ticket issuing counters, no matter what day or what time you go there, only two counters will be open to serve the customers-Even if a humble request is made to the concerned railway authorities to open one or two more counters , they don’t even care and come up with silly excuses-like shortage of staff, staff are on leave, etc. On some days, the queue reaches out of the door into the parking lot. Why even bother to have seven counters, when only two are put into use every time?

The city of Mangaluru may take pride in the fact that it is named as one of Nation’s Smart City, and also that the railway station will be transformed into a World Class Railway station, but simple problems/issues are always neglected, one being causing inconveniences to customers while buying train tickets in advance. Ironically woes of rail commuters never seem to end. Getting train reservations at Mangaluru central railway reservation counters has become a Herculean task due to the shortage of staff and reservation counters. And nothing has been done to fix this problem.

The condition of passengers at the reservation office is pitiable. Though there are seven counters, only two are operational. Seems like there are only three to four staffers besides a supervisor who works in shifts round the clock. This results in long queues and frayed tempers but there is no hope for the harassed people of the city as the railway authorities seem to be in no hurry to improve the situation. Citizens are fed up of complaining to the authorities.

A quick perusal of the complaint register reveals that several people had requested for opening three or more reservation counters considering that the number of passengers booking their tickets from Mangaluru railway station is growing by the day. Some others have also questioned the quality of service at the reservation and inquiry centre. 72-year-old Naresh Nambiar speaking to Mangalorean.com said, ” Making a senior stay in the queue for long hours is not a customer friendly service by the railway department. I go through this situation every time I come here to book train tickets. Even my complaints to the concerned supervisor have not been fruitful. They only want money from us, but no courteous service”.

Shrarada, a mother with two kids in the queue speaking to Mangalorean.com said, “I have been in the queue for the last 45 minutes, and the service has been so slow, to issue a ticket to a customer takes about 10 minutes. There are 15 people in front of me in this queue, just imagine how long I have to stay in the queue with my two kids. Only two counters to serve so many customers at the moment, that’s ridiculous. Thanks for your concern on this issue-hope your report on your website will bring some changes soon at this ticket reservation counter”. I hope so!

Sr Shalini AC was so frustrated after finally been able to purchase her advance ticket to travel to Bengaluru this Saturday speaking Team Mangalorean said, “I had stood in the line at 6:10 pm and at 7.05 pm I got my ticket. The service was so slow in issuing the tickets to customers in front of me-and some had two three forms to purchase many tickets. The concerned authorities in the railway department should do something about this. Thanks for taking the initiative to highlight this issue in Mangalorean.com”. Suresh a lecturer by profession said, “A week ago I was in Singapore- and there I saw the system at the Railway system so advanced, and the railway station was so clean and had all the facilities for the travelers. Here in India politicians only talk about doing things better, but nothing is done. They don’t practice or do things what they preach”.

Not only travelers face hardship waiting in the lines to buy advance tickets, but if one has to use the toilet, they stink so badly- and they are filthy. Just look at the railway tracks, which are filled with shit/garbage and what not? Also look at the narrow road which leads to Kankanady Junction Railway Station- if two vehicles come on opposite direction, one has to take a reverse until the other vehicle can pass- such is the planning of the railway authorities. And with all these pending issues that are haunting the travelers since years, the ministers are trying to upgrade the railway station to World Class standards- but neglecting the existing problems.