A family’s train journey from Bengaluru to Shivamogga turned into trouble when passengers did not get water in the train’s toilets. After not getting help at Tumakuru station, 24 people had to leave the train and travel by another train. For this the family had to spend an additional ₹ 1,760. Now the District Consumer Commission has ordered the Railways to refund the original ticket fare with interest and pay ₹15,000 as compensation and litigation expenses.
This matter is related to train number 66575. Nagendra, who lives in PWD Quarters, Basavanagudi, Shivamogga, was going to Shivamogga from Yeshwantpur along with 23 of his family members and relatives. Everyone had purchased general tickets worth a total of ₹ 1,000 for the journey. During the journey, passengers complained that there was no water in the toilets of the train. This caused him a lot of trouble. The family sought help from the station master at Tumakuru railway station, but received no response. When the problem was not resolved, the family decided to get down from the train and move on to another train. The family had to buy new tickets to travel in another train. He had to spend an additional ₹ 1,760 on this.
Nagendra reached Consumer Commission regarding the matter
After this incident, Nagendra sent a legal notice to the railway officials. However, when no response was received to the notice sent by him, he lodged a complaint with the Shivamogga District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The complaint raised the issue of inconvenience caused during the journey and additional expenses incurred for catching another train. After hearing the case, the Commission directed the railway officials to provide relief to the passenger.
Railways will have to return the money with 6% interest
The Consumer Commission passed an order in this matter on 23 October. A bench of commission chairman T Shivanna and member BD Yogananda Bhandya directed the Bengaluru and Tumakuru station masters of South Western Railways to refund the original ticket fare.
Under the order, Railways will have to return the original ticket fare of ₹1,000 to Nagendra with 6% annual interest from April 15, 2025. Apart from this, the family will have to pay ₹10,000 compensation for the trouble caused and ₹5,000 towards the expenses incurred on the case.
Thus, Railways will have to pay a total of ₹ 16,000 as refund of basic fare, compensation and litigation expenses. This includes a basic fare refund of ₹1,000, on which interest will also have to be paid separately.
10% interest if payment is not made within 45 days
The Consumer Commission has given 45 days time to the Railways to make the full payment. If Railways does not comply with the order within the stipulated time, then 10% annual interest will have to be paid on the amount due. This interest will remain applicable till the entire amount is paid.
The Commission considered the inconvenience caused to passengers due to lack of water in train toilets as a deficiency in service. The commission said that due to lack of basic facilities in the train and lack of help at the station, a family had to stop their journey midway and face problems.
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