Fed-up with freeloaders enjoying the comforts of Mumbai’s AC local trains without paying a rupee, genuine commuters have taken matters into their own hands — by spamming Central Railway (CR) inboxes with complaint mails and photos of defaulters in a form of demonstration they refer to as a ‘Digital Dharna’.
Angry passengers say that in the absence of ticket checking, AC locals — meant to be a premium, hassle-free ride — are being used by random people. “Anyone can travel freely without hesitation. Beggars, hawkers, and ticketless travellers are openly boarding AC trains, while even railway staff without valid green passes sneak in. Why should paying passengers be made to feel like fools?” said commuter Mukesh Makhija, who is spearheading the campaign.
Mukesh Makhija
Campaigners are attaching photos of unauthorised travellers inside the cool coaches, demanding urgent action. Their demands: “Round-the-clock ticket checks, strict enforcement, and zero tolerance for hawkers and non-bona fide passengers.”
Unauthorised travellers inside air-conditioned coaches. Pics/By Special Arrangement
“As regular AC local passengers, we face daily issues — no ticket checking, leading to overcrowding; frequent delays; no clear timetable; long gaps between trains; poor cooling; and a lack of response from the authorities. We need punctual services, proper maintenance, and accountability,” Seema Parab, a commuter, said. “The AC local was meant to be a premium service. What’s the point of charging us extra if rules are not enforced?” another commuter fumed.
Official Speak
Railway officials, when contacted, assured mid-day that complaints were being looked into. “We will intensify checks in AC locals and ensure monitoring takes place,” a senior CR official said. Officials requested commuters to use the official WhatsApp complaint number.
An email sent by commuter Mukesh Makhija to Central Railway authorities, seeking a solution to the issue
“We aim to achieve zero complaints regarding irregular travel in AC local and first-class coaches. The introduction of the dedicated WhatsApp complaint number has significantly aided in achieving this objective. Passengers are encouraged to utilise the WhatsApp complaint number, 7208819987, to report any instances of irregular travel they observe,” a CR official said.
Big data
Seema Parab, commuter
CR’s Mumbai suburban network carries approximately 3.9 million passengers daily through 1810 services, including 80 AC local services, which ferry approximately 78,000 passengers per day.
Central Railway
7208819987
WhatsApp number to report irregular travel
