Passengers on the 59023 Mumbai Central-Valsad Fast Passenger train were reportedly mistreated at Mumbai Central station when the train guard, Ratnesh Kumar Meena, instructed them not to sit behind him in the SLR coach, citing marshalling rules.
An SLR coach, short for Seating cum Luggage Rake, is a type of Indian Railways coach that combines seating space, luggage area, and a guard’s cabin.
According to passengers, Meena asked individuals seated in the SLR coach, including those in the general and disabled sections, to deboard the train. He allegedly threatened to involve the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Dadar and Borivali if his instructions were not followed. Alarmingly, even a disabled passenger in the designated section was reportedly forced to vacate the coach, raising concerns about the guard’s interpretation of railway rules and passenger rights.
Pratik Patil, a daily commuter on the train, stated that the guard’s understanding of the rule appeared flawed.
“Marshalling laws generally apply to coaches that are temporarily attached to a train for transit purposes, for example, when a coach is being relocated from one station to another and is not part of the active rake for passengers. In such cases, passengers are prohibited from occupying those transit coaches,” Patil explained.
“In a normal train formation, however, the SLR is an integral part of the rake. The passenger section of the SLR, both the general and the disabled compartments, is meant for passengers. It doesn’t matter that the guard’s cabin is at the front end of the coach; passengers are allowed to sit in the designated seating area behind him. The rule against sitting behind the guard does not apply to the passenger section of the SLR, because it is an active coach open to passengers,” he added.
SLR coaches typically include three sections: the guard’s compartment, a section for disabled passengers, and a general seating area. While the guard’s area is reserved for operational duties, the other two sections are officially designated for passenger use.
When questioned by commuters at Palghar station, Meena stated, “As per my understanding of marshalling rules, passengers should not sit behind the guard. My instructions were aimed at maintaining train safety and following procedures.”
The incident underscores the need for better staff training and clearer guidelines regarding seating protocols in SLR coaches, to ensure both safety and passenger rights are upheld.
Patil reiterated that the general and disabled sections in SLR coaches are legitimate seating areas. He criticised the guard’s instructions, especially in forcing a disabled passenger to leave, and urged railway authorities to issue clear directives to staff to prevent such incidents in the future.
