Passengers have harrowing time after AC stops working in Puducherry Exp

Hundreds of passengers who have arrived at Howrah station in the Puducherry Express on Friday noon staged a demonstration at the Howrah station alleging that the air conditioning machine at A/1 coach did not function for more than 12 hours causing serious inconveniences to the passengers.

The incident triggered tension at the Howrah station on Friday. The agitated passengers urged the senior railway officials to look into the matter. The passengers have alleged that the AC developed some technical snag ever since the train had left Puducherry on Wednesday afternoon. After the train left for Howrah, the passengers travelling in the A/1 compartment found that the AC was not properly working. Passengers who staged a demonstration at Howrah station on Friday demanded a probe into the incident as to why no steps were taken despite repeated pleas.

They had attracted the attention of the ticket checker and the Railway Protection Force jawans who were in the train. But no steps were taken in this regard. Passengers alleged that as the air conditioning machine was not working in the compartment and soon it turned hot. It was a nightmarish experience travelling in the air conditioned compartment of a train over 12 hours with the air conditioning machine not functioning, alleged a passenger after she had arrived at the Howrah station.

The passengers also alleged that they lodged a complaint with the senior officials of the railways online. Even after 12 hours of the passengers registering a complaint, no steps were taken by the railway authorities. Having found no option, the passengers had first staged a demonstration at the Renigunta Junction station.

It has also been alleged that the railway police heckled them while they were staging a protest at the station. Some of the passengers were also beaten up by the railway police personnel. Following the incident, some of the passengers were shifted to another air-conditioned coach after the train arrived at Vijaywada station.