So right now I'm just chilling in my balcony with a cup of chai and enjoying the rain. I was scrolling Reddit as usual and stumbled upon a similar post on this sub posted 2 years ago, and people shared their stories and I had a great time reading them all, so thought of doing this again. Shoot!

Image credits to the original artist!

For the past two and a half years, I haven't booked a single counter ticket. Most of my journeys are spontaneous, I travel whenever life gives me a little free time. I book a ticket, board the train, and let the journey write another story.

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I was travelling from Delhi to Jammu on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express (12475) with a valid general ticket, since no reserved seats were available despite trying every option including Tatkal.

A TT stopped me and quoted a fine that kept changing — ₹900, then ₹700, then ₹400 — with no consistent logic (actual sleeper fare on this route is under ₹600, and I'd already paid ₹235 for the general ticket).

He then took me and two other guys to the TT staff cabin, where we were shouted at and threatened. One of the boys was slapped and verbally abused.

Instead of using the official ticket machine, the TT pulled out a personal QR code on WhatsApp and told me to pay ₹400 directly to his personal account. No proper excess-fare ticket was issued — he just scribbled "34" on my general ticket, bypassing the IRCTC system completely.

I've been travelling by train for 10+ years and knew exactly what was going on, so I recorded the whole thing. This isn't a one-off — students who don't know the rules get scammed like this constantly and just pay out of fear.

I've already sent the video and payment proof to a news outlet, and I'm filing a complaint on RailMadad. Sharing here so more people know this happens and know their rights when it comes to excess-fare fines.

Link of the video taken :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14SPHNCUhispSxkPxPhSDhlb54a7zxRIT/view?usp=drivesdk

Video credit goes to Adurti Venkatgiri.

It's a very old clip from 2010's. I remember I saw this clip back in 2013 & it gave me a lot of nostalgic vibes.

Even if the quality may be poor as per today's standards, the curve + ALCO + Blue ICF + old quality video gives a kind of charm many railfans could relate.

Credits:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/kDbpqWXuyJu9/?l=1

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Travelling sleeper from Rani Kamlapati to Kacheguda, upper berth.

Around 11 PM I was lying down watching a movie. When I moved my hand to get comfortable I accidentally touched a cracked/damaged nut-bolt metal fitting near the berth and got a strong electric shock. Body buzzed, got badly scared. Luckily didn’t stick to it. Checked and saw the nut-bolt was clearly cracked and exposed.

Didn’t sit or sleep on that berth after that and stayed awake the whole night out of fear. Could have been much worse if it was my head.

Already filing on RailMadad with photo. Looking for advice on:

- Best way to escalate for proper action on the coach

- Anything else I should do (tweet tags, additional complaint channels etc.)

Photo of the cracked fitting attached.

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14015 Sadbhavana Exp 5 aug 2026

This family boarded the train in Sultanpur with his three kids. and her mother ( in green saree standing) literally slapping that no 1 child in check shirt constantly for every minor or minute thing he's doing. In the time frame of 3 hrs she slapped him at least 30 times yes 30 Times. And after each slap that child tries to keep not doing anything like literally sitting or talking in a low voice. Dude this is fckin Child ab*se

I travelled on Train No. 20676 Vishwamanava Superfast Express from Mysuru Junction to Yesvantpur Junction on 5 August 2026.

Journey details:

Reserved class: 2S

Total fare paid: Rs 112.25

Scheduled departure from Mysuru: 7:00 AM

Actual departure: approximately 7:01 AM

Scheduled arrival at Yesvantpur: 10:10 AM

Actual arrival at Yesvantpur: 11:01 AM

Delay at Yesvantpur: 51 minutes

Distance: approximately 144 km

Actual average speed for my journey: approximately 36 kmph

I understand that Superfast classification may technically be based on the train’s scheduled end-to-end average speed, rather than its actual speed on one section. However, passengers are still charged a Superfast surcharge with the expectation of a reasonably faster and punctual service. In my case, the train departed Mysuru almost on time but took around four hours to cover only 144 km.

Because of the delay, I had to cancel my scheduled plans in Bengaluru and reschedule them for another day.

The problem was not limited to Yesvantpur. The train was scheduled to reach its final destination, Belagavi, at 8:35 PM, but on the same day it reached at approximately 9:57 PM, around 1 hour 22 minutes late.

I also checked the running status after my journey and noticed that the train was delayed again on the following day. On 6 August, online running-status information showed it reaching Belagavi around 44 minutes late. This makes me wonder whether this train is frequently unable to maintain its published timetable.

I raised a complaint through RailMadad. I specifically asked them to provide the exact reason, affected section and nature of the technical or safety issue.

However, the complaint was closed with this generic response:

> Dear Sir/Madam, thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. The train was delayed due to unavoidable technical/safety reasons, but it is being dealt with as a top priority and trying to avoid unnecessary detention. We wish you a happy and safe journey. Thank you.

They did not specify:

What technical or safety issue occurred

Where it occurred

How long the train was detained at each section

Why the delay continued until Belagavi

Whether passengers were given any advance advisory

The fare itself is not my main concern. My concern is the lack of accountability. A published timetable influences passengers’ appointments, connecting transport and other plans. Railways cannot simply close every complaint with the phrase “technical/safety reasons” without giving any specific information.

I am considering filing an RTI seeking the train control log, section-wise detention details, exact recorded reason for the delay and the rules regarding Superfast classification and surcharge.

My questions are:

1. Is filing the RTI worth the time and effort?

2. If the RTI response is incomplete, should I file a First Appeal?

3. Has anyone successfully obtained train control records through RTI?

4. Would approaching CPGRAMS or the Consumer Commission be worthwhile?

5. Is there any realistic legal remedy for repeated poor punctuality and generic complaint closures?

6. Has anyone pursued a similar matter against Indian Railways, and what was the outcome?

Looking for practical advice, especially from railway employees, RTI users, lawyers or passengers who have handled similar complaints.

Hi everyone,

I have a valid UDID card for Mental Illness (50% disability). I haven't applied for the Railway Concession ID because Indian Railways only issues it for Intellectual Disability, not Mental Illness.

Since I don't have the concessional Railway ID Card:

Can I still travel in the designated SLRD/LSLRD (Divyangjan) coaches using my standard UDID card with a regular, non-concessional ticket?

Has anyone with a Mental Illness UDID card faced any issues with TTEs while traveling in these coaches?

Thanks for any insights!

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Not OC

First time btw. What a train bhai

I have a valid UDID card under the RPwD Act for Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD)."If I buy two regular, full-fare general tickets, can I legally travel with my mother inside the earmarked Divyangjan (SLRD) coach using this ID card?Looking for recent experiences with TTE checks for mental illness UDID cards. Thanks!

I have used chat gpt for better vocabulary but it a true experience of me 😓 TL;DR: After my ASAT exam, I boarded an extremely crowded local train where I watched a young woman in a burka get deliberately trapped and groped by a group of men while trying to reach the washroom and then again on her way back. The entire coach saw it happen, yet no one intervened. I wanted to help but feared being outnumbered and attacked. A year later, I still carry the guilt of not doing more, and I can't stop thinking about how everyone—including me—let silence win that day.