Mofussil buses to terminate at Kilambakkam from tomorrow

Mofussil buses to terminate at Kilambakkam from tomorrow

Mar 3, 2025, 03.55 AM IST

Chennai: Starting Tuesday, all govt mofussil buses from the southern districts will terminate at Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) in Kilambakkam instead of Tambaram, following a directive aimed at easing congestion on Grand Southern Trunk Road.

While the govt has promised to deploy 100 additional MTC buses to improve connectivity between KCBT and key transit hubs in Chennai, passengers remain unconvinced, citing the inconsistency of MTC services. At present, the govt claims to operate 590 buses from KCBT.

“We often wait 15 to 20 minutes for a bus in the early hours when returning to Chennai after holidays, only to find overcrowded MTC buses. Those who can’t afford to wait are forced to pay higher fares for autos or taxis to reach Tambaram,” said B Ganesh, a resident-activist from Varadharajapuram. He also criticized the decision to reroute buses to Kilambakkam before completing the Kilambakkam railway station and pedestrian pathway connecting it to the terminus. The govt earlier promised to open the railway station by May.

The decision to divert mofussil buses to Kilambakkam is based on recommendations from Tambaram police to decongest GST Road.

At present, TNSTC buses halt in front of Tambaram railway station, blocking one or two lanes of the three-lane road, causing daily bottlenecks. The problem is worsened by autos encroaching on the left-most lanes. On the opposite side, govt buses are often forced to stop in the middle of the road to drop passengers, despite a designated bus bay.

By shifting mofussil bus operations to Kilambakkam, police expect smoother movement of MTC buses and local vehicles through the area, where traffic delays of 10 to 15 minutes have become routine.

Uber scraps commission, leaves fare negotiation to passengers

Uber scraps commission, leaves fare negotiation to passengers

Feb 19, 2025, 04.01 AM IST

Chennai: Uber made a major change in its fare model by scrapping commission charges for auto drivers and switching to a fixed subscription-fee system, similar to Namma Yatri and Rapido. More significantly, fares displayed in the app will be only suggestive, with final pricing left to direct negotiation between drivers and passengers, as the platform will no longer intervene in fare disputes.

In a notification on Tuesday, the platform said it will now act only as a tech intermediary between passengers and drivers. An Uber spokesperson said the shift aligns with the industry-wide move towards subscription-based models and ensures the company remains competitive. However, Uber did not disclose how much will be charged as a daily subscription or platform fee from its drivers from this month-end.

Auto drivers on other platforms currently pay 25 to 30 per shift, after which they retain the full fare collected from passengers. There are no commission deductions, no cap on the number of trips and earnings depend entirely on workload. Previously, Uber deducted 15% to 40% per ride, leading to discontent and a partial boycott in Chennai.

Also, Tuesday’s notification said that Uber suggests a fare, but the final amount is decided by the driver and customer. Passengers will have the option to walk away from a ride with no cancellation charges if they do not agree on a fare. Uber advised riders to discuss concerns directly with drivers.

Additionally, all payments must now be made directly to the driver in cash or via UPI. Digital payment options such as credit/debit cards, Uber-integrated UPI payments and Uber credits will no longer be available. Promotions and discounts will also not apply to auto rides.

With Uber stepping back, booking an auto through the app is now like hailing one from the street. "Fare control is gone, leaving passengers, especially newcomers, vulnerable to overcharging," said D Ramakrishnan, a resident-activist from Adambakkam.

Uber, however, said it would continue to address safety concerns.This story had continued from a page 1 story in the newspaper. For your reading convenience we have added it below.

Passengers, drivers to fix Uber auto fares

Uber on Tuesday announced changes in its fare model scrapping commission charges for auto drivers and switching to a fixed subscription-fee system, similar to Namma Yatri and Rapido, reports Ram Sundaram. Fares displayed in the app will be only suggestive, with final pricing to be negotiated between drivers and passengers. The platform will no longer intervene in fare disputes. An Uber spokesperson said the shift aligns with the industry-wide move towards subscription-based models.

Auto drivers’ boycott of Ola, Uber sees weak response

Auto drivers’ boycott of Ola, Uber sees weak response

TNN | Feb 2, 2025, 03.50 AM IST

Chennai: The confederation of auto drivers’ unions’ call for an indefinite boycott of Ola and Uber fell flat on the first day, even as support grew for alternative subscription-based platforms such as Namma Yatri and Rapido. Despite the unions’ push for drivers to unsubscribe from major ride-hailing apps, Ola and Uber autos remained widely available, with little visible impact on operations.

Earlier this week, the confederation had urged its 10,000 affiliated auto drivers to stop using app-based aggregators from Saturday, citing high commission charges ranging from 25 to 40 per cent. The unions said these deductions significantly reduced drivers’ take-home earnings, making it unsustainable for many to continue working under these platforms. However, the expected mass withdrawal did not materialize. Commuters continued to find autos through Ola and Uber within two to four minutes throughout the day, and surge pricing remained active, fluctuating between 50 and 100 per cent above standard fares.

Meanwhile, a section of auto drivers participating in the protest shifted to alternate platforms such as Namma Yatri and Auto Na, saying that these services offered more transparent fare structures with only fixed subscription fees and no commissions. According to the confederation’s coordinator, A Zahir Hussain, drivers on these platforms adhered to pre-determined fare charts, charging a base fare of 50 for the first 1.8 km and 18 per additional km, without imposing surge pricing. He said that around 5,000 trips were completed on Saturday through these two apps alone.

Hussain said the confederation had not enforced the boycott with coercion but had instead engaged with drivers to make them aware of the financial strain caused by aggregator commissions.

Authorities kept a close watch on the situation, with police conducting checks in the morning to monitor any irregularities. However, no cases were registered regarding excessive fares.

TN clears way for minibuses to operate on 2,000 routes Several City Suburbs Too Will Get Private Buses

TN clears way for minibuses to operate on 2,000 routes Several City Suburbs Too Will Get Private Buses 

Ram.Sundaram@timesofindia.com 30.01.2025

Chennai : Private minibuses have been given the goa head to operate on 2,000 routes, including areas in Chennai such as Thoraipakkam, Alandur, Ambattur, Manali and Thiruvottiyur. The move, aimed at improving first and last-mile connectivity, comes after finalising fares for existing operators. Under the newly notified comprehensive minibus scheme, 2024, permits will be issued to private operators running 25-seater minibuses on routes where govt-run services are absent or inadequate. As per the transport department’s order dated Jan 24, any locality must have at least four daily bus trips. If state-run services, including Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Villupuram, fail to meet this requirement, private operators will be allowed to step in. 

District collectors across TN have identified close to 2,000 routes till date. District collectors will review applications from private operators and assess the necessity of minibuses before granting permits. Each selected route will ideally have a single operator, but if multiple applicants emerge, the permit will be awarded through drawing lots. Only high-demand routes with significant passenger traffic will allow multiple operators. Private minibuses will have a maximum operational distance of 25km, which can be extended by an additional km if a hospital, school, college, market, collectorate, taluk office or railway station is located near the terminal point. Commuters have welcomed the move, citing chronic connectivity gaps and the limited fleet of 140 small buses run by MTC. “We barely get one or two buses a day because most small buses serve only as Metrorail feeders. MTC had a monopoly for years and ignored requests to improve

services. This competition from private operators might finally push MTC to do better,” said Ganesh Babu, a resident-activist from Varadharajapuram, Tambaram. However, MTC, TNSTC and transport workers' unions have opposed the plan, arguing it will divert passengers away from govt run buses and impact revenue.

Ola, Uber services likely to be hit as cabbies plan strike

Ola, Uber services likely to be hit as cabbies plan strike

Jan 30, 2025, 04.01 AM IST

Chennai: Ride-hailing services are likely to be disrupted from Saturday as a section of auto and cab drivers plan to indefinitely boycott aggregators such as Ola and Uber, citing 25%-40% commissions that eat into their earnings.

Drivers stated they will continue operating through apps such as Namma Yatri that charge a fixed daily subscription fee instead of commissions. Meanwhile, auto drivers unaffiliated with any app-based service have announced their own fare structure 50 as base fare, followed by 18/km.

“We have been demanding a fare revision for 12 years, as directed by Madras high court, but state govt is yet to act. The transport minister has repeatedly said the proposal is awaiting cabinet approval,” said Zahir Hussain A, coordinator of the Confederation of Drivers’ Unions, Chennai.

Aggregator rules, meant to regulate peak-hour surcharges and commission percentages, have been stalled for years. “With commissions as high as 40%, we are sometimes forced to charge above the app-estimated fares, leading to conflicts with passengers. This indefinite strike and our new fare system aim to resolve these issues,” he added at a press conference on Wednesday.

Asked about possible govt action for not following the official fare structure, drivers said they were prepared to face consequences. “We have no choice. We need to sustain our livelihoods, pay rent, clear loans, and support our children’s education. We are not asking for crores from the govt, just a simple order announcing revised fares,” Hussain said.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. D Amit, a Mumbai native working in Taramani, recalled how auto drivers in Chennai never adhered to the fares fixed in 2013, even before ride-hailing apps gained popularity. “They didn’t even have fare meters and often overcharged passengers, especially newcomers to the city,” he said.

Now, you may book smart lockers at Ghaziabad, Sahibabad RRTS stations

Now, you may book smart lockers at Ghaziabad, Sahibabad RRTS stations

 TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.01.2025

New Delhi : Smart locker facilities are now available for passengers in the operational section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor, offering a secure and affordable storage solution at a minimal hourly cost. While the service is currently available at Sahibabad and Ghaziabad stations, it will be introduced at other stations soon too. Passengers can use the lockers not only for storing their luggage, but also for receiving ecommerce parcels. The service is available at Delhi Metro stations too. 

“The locker facility will soon be available at all operational Namo Bharat stations, including DPS Raj Nagar, Guldhar, Duhai, Muradnagar, Modinagar South, Modinagar North, and Meerut South. Installation work for the lockers has already begun at these stations. The service will also be accessible at Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar stations in Delhi soon,” said an official. 

The option to book lockers will be available on the Namo Bharat and DMRC Momen- tum apps. Passengers can access the facility through the ‘Rent a Locker’ option, and choose the station name and date for which they wish to book the locker. They will need to make an online payment of Rs 20 per hour for a small locker, Rs 30 per hour for a medium locker and Rs 40 per hour for a large/ extra-large locker. Once the payment is made, the locker will be booked, and the passenger will receive a unique access code. This code will be required to open₹400 and close the locker, ensuring that no one else can access it. “This digital booking process will further enhance convenience and accessibility for commuters,” said the official. If the passenger wants to order an e-commerce parcel, he will have to tell his access code and phone number to the delivery person. When the delivery person reaches the station, after the parcel security check, he will have to inform the customer care booth of the Namo Bharat station about the parcel delivery. After this, the delivery person will be allowed to put the goods in the locker

Passengers caught sneaking Indian Railways bedsheets into their luggage

Watch: Passengers caught sneaking Indian Railways bedsheets into their luggage

The video has gone viral with 5.2k likes and a slew of comments criticizing poor civic sense among the public.

Posted by Veena Nair | Published: 19th January 2025 8:22 pm IST

 

Trains are an affordable mode of transport popular with a majority of the citizens. Almost anyone you meet will have a story to share about the crazy encounters they had while travelling on the Indian Railways.

In a similar incident, a family was caught sneaking in bedsheets provided by the railways along with their luggage.

A video that was shared on Reddit under r/indianrailways shows a frustrated railway employee going through a passenger’s luggage on the platform and retrieving several bed sheets from it.

The video, seemingly from Prayagraj, has gone viral with 5.2k likes and a slew of comments criticizing poor civic sense among the public.

One Reddit user says how such actions are glamorized in society as “kand” with youth being encouraged into problematic behaviour to seem cool. “The problem is there are parents who also encourage such actions, there are men who talk about these acts “Kand” that they did in school and college. People normalize such behaviour(u)rs. In a friend group(s) it’s an achievement and instead of calling out bad behaviour(u)r people laugh and make jokes about how they stole things or broke things in school and college. So to combat it we as a society should start teaching accountability, honesty, kindness, good manners and many important things to people around us.” said the commenter.

Other people wondered how someone would even use the sheets with the railways logo on them to which some people replied that people would boast about the stolen goods to their guests while someone else replied “My landlord who was a manager is a reputed bank, also had the bedsheets and pillow covers from Indian Railways symbol everywhere, when we rented the apartment we were surprised to see that.”

Some people took the incident on a lighter note saying “Insaan souvenir bhi na collect kare ab?” (Are people not allowed to collect souvenirs now?).

Be it over-crowding, hygiene or the quality of food, this incident highlights just one of the many problems that the Indian Railways faces.

TTE booked for sexually harassing passenger on train in Tamil Nadu

TTE booked for sexually harassing passenger on train in Tamil Nadu

According to sources, the 34-year-old passenger from Kumbakonam was traveling with her mother and child and boarded the train at Tambaram around 11 pm on Sunday.

Express News Service

07 Jan 2025, 7:36 am

MAYILADUTHURAI: A ticket examiner has been booked for allegedly sexually harassing a female passenger aboard the Uzhavan Express from Chennai to Thanjavur. The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mayiladuthurai registered a case on Monday and launched a search for the accused.

According to sources, the 34-year-old passenger from Kumbakonam was traveling with her mother and child and boarded the train at Tambaram around 11 pm on Sunday.

She requested the TTE, identified as Thomas Wellesley, for a lower berth as she had been allotted an upper berth during booking, sources said. Although the TTE arranged a lower berth, he harassed the passenger by making inappropriate comments as the train passed from Villupuram to Mayiladuthurai.

When the harassment escalated, the woman raised alarm as the train neared Mayiladuthurai around 3:45 am. Sensing trouble, the TTE got down from the train at Mayiladuthurai and fled. Based on the woman's complaint, the GRP filed a case under Sections 75 (1) (sexual harassment) and 75 (2) of BNS and Section 4 of the TN Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Use 'Singara Chennai' smart card for metro, MTC travel

Use 'Singara Chennai' smart card for metro, MTC travel

To mark the launch, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar unveiled the Singara Chennai smart card during an event at the Central Depot on Monday.

Minister SS Sivasankar unveiled the Singara Chennai card on Monday Photo | Express

B Anbuselvan

07 Jan 2025, 10:20 am

CHENNAI: The long-awaited 'Singara Chennai' smart card, a prepaid common mobility card that can be used for both metro and MTC travel within the city, was launched on Monday. This card aims to simplify ticket purchases by offering unified payment options for MTC buses, metro trains, metro parking, and other platforms that support the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). However, the card is yet to be integrated with MRTS and Chennai suburban train services.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), has started distributing 50,000 smart cards free of charge through its depots. To mark the launch, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar unveiled the Singara Chennai smart card during an event at the Central Depot on Monday.

Alby John Varghese, Managing Director, MTC, told TNIE that around 98.5% of tickets are currently issued through electronic ticketing machines in MTC buses. “Since the card is NCMC-compliant, it can also be used on metro services in other cities like Bengaluru and Delhi, provided their platforms accept NCMC cards. Similarly, about 4 lakh Singara Chennai metro cards, integrated with NCMC which were issued by CMRL, can now be used for purchasing MTC bus tickets,” he explained. However, the metro cards issued exclusively for metro travel cannot be used on MTC buses.

He further mentioned that MTC has already trained its staff to adapt to this initiative. The Singara Chennai smart card can be recharged online via (SBI Transit) (https://transit.sbi/), through mobile apps like YONO and PhonePe, or at any MTC counter in the city.

Traffic diversions during New Year celebrations in city

Traffic diversions during New Year celebrations in city 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 31.12.2024

Chennai : Anticipating massive crowds on the Marina Promenade, Elliots Beach, on Dec 31, Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) has chalked out preventive measures to ensure accidentfree New Year celebrations. New diversions and parking arrangements have been announced for Kamarajar Salai and Elliot’s Beach. The Foreshore Service Road will be closed for traffic from 7pm on Dec 31 to 6am on Jan 1. Parking of vehicles will also not be allowed on Foreshore Service Road from 7pm, and vehicles will be allowed to exit only through Lighthouse Junction. On Kamarajar Salai, the stretch from War Memorial to Lighthouse will be closed for vehicular traffic from 8pm on Dec 31 till 6am on Jan 1. 

Vehicles coming from Adyar intended for Kamarajar Salai will be diverted at Greenways Road and South Canal Road Junction towards Mandaveli, RA Puram 2nd Main Road, RK Mutt Road and Luz Corner to reach their destinations. 

Vehicles coming from Dr RK Salai side intended for Kamarajar Salai will be diverted at VM Street Junction towards RK Mutt Road, Luz Junction, Mandaveli, South Canal Bank Road to reach Santhome High Road and Greenways Road. 

Vehicles coming from Parry’s to Kamarajar Salai will be diverted at RBI Subway (North) towards North Fort Wall Road, Muthusamy Road, Muthusamy Bridge, Wallajah Point, Anna Salai to reach their destinations. Vehicles will not be allowed towards Kamarajar Salai from Wallajah Point, Swamy Sivananda Salai (near Doordarshan Kendra), Wallajah Salai (near Victoria Hostel Road), Bharathi Salai & Victoria Hostel Road Junction, Dr Besant Road (near MRTS), Lloyds Road x Natesan Road, and from Natesan Road x Dr RK Salai Junction.

 The entire Loop Road from South Canal Bank Road up to Lighthouse Junction will be closed for vehicular traffic as per necessity. On Flag Staff Road, vehicles will not be allowed from Wallajah Point towards War Memorial  from 8 pm. MTC buses bound to the north from Greenways Point will be diverted at R.K. Mutt U-turn towards Thiruvengadam Street, Devanathan Street, RK Mutt Road, Venkateswara Agraharam Street (Saibaba Temple), Nageshwara Park to reach their destination.

In Besant Nagar, vehicles will not be allowed towards 6th Avenue from 8 pm on Dec 31 to 6 am on Jan 1. Entry to 6th Avenue will be blocked at 5th Avenue Junction, 4th Main Road Junction, 3rd Main Road Junction, 16th Cross Street, and 7th Avenue MG Road Junction towards Annai Velankanni Church. All flyovers will be closed from 8 pm on Dec 31 till 6 am on Jan 1, police said.

Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express service with LHB coaches launched

Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express service with LHB coaches launched

The Southern Railway began operating the service on Saturday.

The Hindu Bureau

Coimbatore 29.12.2024

The Southern Railway began operating the Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai-Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express with LHB coaches on Saturday.

Composed of two AC chair cars, 18 second class chair cars, one luggage-cum-brake van with accommodation for the differently abled, and one power car LHB coach, the train no. 12084 departed from Coimbatore Junction with 2,000 passengers on board and 100 % occupancy.

Developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany, the coaches that are now being manufactured in India can be operated at higher speeds and have a higher passenger capacity than the conventional coaches, a press release said. The LHB coaches have fire retardant materials for furnishing, and the air-conditioning system of these coaches is of higher capacity, the release said.

Prior to the journey at Coimbatore, passengers celebrated the event by cutting a cake, honouring the Station Manager, Loco pilot and distributing sweets.

Emphasising on the scope for betterment of services from Coimbatore Junction in consideration of its status as the third highest revenue generating station in Southern Railways that includes railway stations in Kerala, train enthusiast and director of Kongu Global Forum J. Sathish voiced the demand of the travelling public for utilisation of the old ICF coaches used in the Coimbatore to Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi express for operating a new Jan Shatabdi train service between Coimbatore and Nagercoil.

Passengers upset over cancellation of Tiruchy-Tambaram intercity express from December

Passengers upset over cancellation of Tiruchy-Tambaram intercity express from December 27

When enquired, railway sources said there is a proposal to run the Tiruchy-Tambaram intercity train thrice a week with the released coaches of the Mayiladuthurai-Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express.

N Ramesh

25 Dec 2024, 6:52 am

THANJAVUR: Train users in the delta districts are aggrieved over the announcement that the Tiruchy-Tambaram-Tiruchy intercity special train will stand canceled from December 27.

Heeding to a long-pending demand of train users in the region, the Southern Railway introduced the intercity superfast express on October 11 this year and announced that it will run until December 31 this year on a trial basis.

Barring Monday and Thursday, the train runs on other days of the week. The service departing from Tiruchy at 5.35 am reaches Tambaram at 12.30 pm, and again begins the journey in the opposite direction at 3.30 pm the same day and reaches Tiruchy at 11.35 pm.

The train has stoppage at 12 stations, including Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram. "When I tried to book a ticket in the train through the IRCTC app for December 31, the train was mentioned as cancelled," said M Dass of Thanjavur, a regular user of the train. Inquiries revealed that the special train will have its last run on December 25.

This has come in as disappointment for the train users. "The intercity train has evoked good passenger response in all general coaches. Due to the special fare structure, reserved coaches saw only moderate crowds on weekdays," said A Giri, the secretary of the Thanjavur District Railway Users' Association.

The train has two AC three-tier coaches, six sleeper coaches and 12 unreserved coaches. While the sleeper class fare from Thanjavur to Chennai Egmore in other express trains is in the range of Rs 230 to Rs 260, the fare is Rs 360 in the intercity express, Dass said.

Stating that the Southern Railway cited operational reasons for suspending the train service from December 27, Giri conveyed the popular demand to keep it running continuously.

When enquired, railway sources said there is a proposal to run the Tiruchy-Tambaram intercity train thrice a week with the released coaches of the Mayiladuthurai-Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express. The latter train is expected to be operated with LHB type coaches from Saturday. There, however, is no official notification on running the intercity train beyond December 27, they clarified.

Driverless metro to begin trials at Madhavaram by '28

Driverless metro to begin trials at Madhavaram by '28 

24.12.2024

Chennai : Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will begin testing its first batch of three-car driverless trains at Madhavaram depot by early 2028, following the delivery of the initial train by the end of 2026. The ₹3,657.53-crore contract with BEML Limited includes 70 unattended train operations (UTO) trains, comprising 210 cars, personnel training, and depot machinery. The 14-month testing phase ensures operational readiness before service on corridors 3 (Madhavaram-Sipcot) and 5 (Madhavaram-Sholinganallur) of phase 2. Subsequent trains will be delivered from March 2027 to April 2029. This is the second of three contracts for phase 2. A prototype train under the first contract is already at Poonamallee depot, while the third tender is under process. TNN

Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express to run with LHB coaches from December 28

Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express to run with LHB coaches from December 28

The important features of LHB coaches are that they can be operated at higher speeds and have a higher passenger capacity than the conventional coaches. Special Arrangement

The Hindu Bureau

TIRUCHI  21.12.2024

The Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai-Coimbatore Jan Shatbadi Express (12084/83) will run with LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches from December 28.

The LHB coaches are deployed to enhance safety and ensure a comfortable journey for passengers. The trains will be operated with two AC chair cars, 18 chair coaches, one second class (Divyangjan friendly) coach, and one luggage-cum-brake van.

The important features of LHB coaches are that they can be operated at high speed and have a higher passenger capacity than the conventional coaches. They are lighter compared to the conventional coaches and have aesthetically superior interiors and require less maintenance.

Each coach has an advanced pneumatic disc brake system for efficient braking at high speed. Improved suspension system of LHB coaches provides more riding comfort to passengers. They have fire retardant material for furnishing and their air-conditioning system is of higher capacity, a railway press release said.

Soon, you can buy tickets for MTC buses with NCMC

Soon, you can buy tickets for MTC buses with NCMC

 Ram.Sundaram@timesofindia.com 19.12.2024

Chennai : MTC will soon enable passengers to buy tickets for its buses using the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). Payment through NCMC is already functional on handheld electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) provided to conductors. By tapping the card on ETM readers, passengers can pay fares directly from their card balance. NCMCs can be recharged online or at designated counters and offer seamless travel across buses, metros, and other transport modes nationwide. This initiative aligns with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), which has integrated the ‘Singara Chennai’ card into its ticket vending machines and booking systems. CMRL offers a 20% discount on fares for transactions made through NCMCs, UPI, WhatsApp. However, transportation activist K Anbalagan said that MTC must offer discounts for paperless transactions and conduct extensive advertising to raise awareness about UPI apps. “Most MTC passengers belong to lower-middle-class or economically weaker sections. A large-scale campaign is essential to encourage them to adopt these digital payment methods,” he said. TNN

Strict Liability On Railways To Compensate Kin Of Deceased Who Fell From Train After Mistakenly Travelling Beyond Destination: Karnataka HC

Strict Liability On Railways To Compensate Kin Of Deceased Who Fell From Train After Mistakenly Travelling Beyond Destination: Karnataka HC

Mustafa Plumber

10 Dec 2024 12:37 AM

The Karnataka High Court has upheld an order of the Railway Tribunal granting compensation to the claimants of a deceased passenger who had fallen from the train after mistakenly travelling beyond his destination station.

Justice H P Sandesh dismissed an appeal filed by South Western Railways, challenging the order dated December 28, 2010, granting compensation of Rs 4 lakh along with interest to A Mohan.

He said, "The deceased might have fallen while trying to get down and in that process he could have received injuries, which the fact is in line with the statement of witnesses and also the post mortem report. The fact that the deceased was travelling in the train is not in dispute, but only mistakenly he traveled beyond destiny and also the Apex Court in the Prabhakaran's case also held that principles of strict liability applies, the defendant has to pay damages for injury caused to the plaintiff, even though the defendant may not have been at any fault"

He added “Section 124(a) of the Railway's Act, casts a strict liability on the railway even if the deceased died due to his own fault and the railway is liable to pay compensation. Even travel beyond his destiny, the same cannot be ground to discard the claim of the claimants.”

On February 14, 2009 the deceased had purchased one journey ticket from Whitefield to Kuppam and boarded the train Mysore-Tirupati passenger.

Since, the train was heavily crowded and that when the train reached Kuppam railway station due to the incoming and outgoing passengers the deceased could not get down at Kuppram station but tried to reach the doorway and in the meantime due to sudden jerk and jolt of the train travelling between Kuppam and Mallanur railway station, he accidentally slipped and fallen down from the train, sustained serious injuries and died on the spot.

The railways raised a sole contention that the deceased is not a bonafide passenger and the deceased was holding a ticket to travel from Whitefield to Kuppam and his body was lying beyond Kuppam railway station and that itself shows that the deceased is not a bonafide passenger. Hence, the claimants are not entitled for any compensation.

The bench referred to Apex court judgment in the case of Union of India V/s Prabhakaran Vijayakumar and other (2008) wherein it was held that since the provisions for compensation in the railways act is a beneficial piece of legislation, it should receive a liberal and wider interpretation and not a narrow and technical one. The passenger who has traveled beyond his destination in such a situation would be covered within the definition of the passenger with a valid ticket.

The court observed, “With the advance of industrialization, the Laissez Faire Theory was gradually replaced by the theory of the Welfare State, and in legal parlance there was a corresponding shift from positivism to sociological jurisprudence and the Court has to take note of liberal approach and the same was taken note of by the Railway Tribunal.”

It said that in Prabhakaran Vijayakumar's case it was also held that even if a passenger travel's beyond his destiny, the same cannot be ground to discard the claim of the claimants. In view of the same the court found no error in the Tribunal's order in allowing the claim and granting compensation to the deceased's kin.

Accordingly it dismissed the appeal.

Appearance: Advocate H Shanthi Bhushan for Appellant.

Citation No: 2024 LiveLaw (Kar) 503

Case Title: UnIon of India AND A Mohan & ANR

Case No: MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO.2556/2011

Passengers create ruckus on board Shanti Express over missing belongings

Passengers create ruckus on board Shanti Express over missing belongings 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  07.12.2024

Ahmedabad : Passengers in the First AC coach of the Shanti Express, travelling from Indore to Ahmedabad, were shocked when women travellers discovered that their belongings were missing. A commotion ensued when railway protection force officials declined to record complaints whilst the train was in motion, insisting passengers must alight at a station to do so. Officials were unwilling to stop the train for complaint registration.

The incident occurred around 3.30am, between Nagda and Ujjain, when a woman passenger noticed her purse and bag were missing. She alerted other passengers. Himangini Kalantri, another passenger of the AC coach, stated, “I heard noise outside my compartment. A woman passenger was looking for her stuff, her bag, and purse, as everything went missing. As other passengers started gathering near her seat, an attendant came and informed us that he found a bag in the washroom.” Kalantri added, “Usually, when I travel alone, I prefer the First AC coach as it is safe.” After recovering the items, passengers attempted to report the incident on the railway complaint number. However, the responding officers were uncooperative. The ticket checker and officials instead criticised the passengers for not securing their compartment from inside. 

According to Kalantri, she contacted the railway complaint platform, while the staff insisted on filing complaints at Ahmedabad. But other passengers refused to continue the journey. “I pulled the chain on four oc casions as we wanted action. After 20 minutes of ruckus, a police officer came to register the complaint,” she explained. Additional bags were discovered in the washrooms during the complaint registration process. “We found six bags in different washrooms, which were probably stolen. It is suspected that if it was happening across all coaches, there was a gang active on the train,” Kalantri said.  She expressed concern about single women travellers being targeted and suggested possible staff involvement, either directly or indirectly, in such incidents. 

Ticketless travellers paid ₹8.7cr in fines 

Ahmedabad : The Ahmedabad division of Western Railway collected Rs 13.46 crore between April and Nov in fines from passengers who were caught during a ticket checking drive and were carrying unauthorised luggage. The railway authorities said that to ensure comfortable travel and better services for all legitimate passengers, intensive ticket checking campaigns were conducted. The Ahmedabad division collected over Rs 8.71 crore from more than 94,600 passengers for ticketless travel. Additionally, Rs 4.70 crore in fines were imposed on around 81,500 unauthorized travellers. “Usually, passengers are required to book heavy luggage in the luggage van, but they travel with such heavy luggage in the train, and hence they were also booked,” said a senior railway official. TNN

Now, take your learner’s licence test from home

Now, take your learner’s licence test from home

Himanshu.Kaushik@timesofindia.com 07.12.2024

Ahmedabad : The state transport department has finally decided to facilitate driving tests for learners from the comfort of their homes or offices. Come Jan, candidates, unlike earlier, will not need to visit Regional Transport Offices or authorised centres for the online test. This applies only to those who have an Aadhaar linked to their mobile phone number. The move comes after extensive testing, officials said. 

The current system of going to RTOs, polytechnics or ITIs will continue. Union Govt mandates that the online test should be made compulsory, allowing individuals to take the test from anywhere. Officials stated that biometrics, specifically face recognition, will be conducted using Aadhaar card data. The system will not capture voice and hence answers dictated to the system will not be detected. Officials noted that in 2024, govt brought down the pass limit. Earlier, a candidate was required to answer 11 questions out of 15 correctly. Now, correct answers to nine questions are enough to clear the test. 

According to officials, 19 states have already implemented the system, but Gujarat was testing the system to ensure it was foolproof, following Maharashtra’s model for implementation. The move will reduce the rush at RTOs, polytechnics and ITIs, said senior officials. “Necessary changes were made by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Vahan 4.0 and Sarathi 4.0 systems used for vehicle registration and driving licence issuance across the country,” an offici al said. To take the test from home or office, applicants will have to visit ‘https://parivahan.gov.in’. “Before appearing for the test, candidates will have to watch online videos on road safety. Only then can they apply. Those correctly answering 60% of the questions can print a learner’s licence on their own,” the official explained. Those failing can attempt the test again in a similar manner following rules. 

“Those who don’t want to opt for a test through Aadhaar can take the test using the existing procedure,” the official sai

Taxi guided by Google Maps falls of bridge, 3 people killed

Taxi guided by Google Maps falls of bridge, 3 people killed

 Kanwardeep.Singh@timesofindia.com 25.11.2024

Bareilly : Three men from Uttar Pradesh died when their taxi plunged off an incomplete bridge in Faridpur on Saturday night while travelling from Gurugram to Bareilly. Police said they were using navigation app, Google Maps, to navigate from Dataganj (Budaun) to Faridpur via Khallpur but were unaware the bridge over the Ramganga river was incomplete. 

On Sunday morning, Khallpur villagers spotted the car under the incomplete bridge and informed the police. Faridpur SHO Rahul Singh checked the victims’ mobile phones and found that they were navigating with Google Maps. He said, “We recovered the identity card of a Gurugrambased security company in the car. The victims were then identified as Nitin Kumar, 30, his cousins Ajit Kumar, 35, and Amit Kumar, 30. Nitin and Ajit, residents of Farrukhabad, worked as drivers for a Gurugram-based security company, while Amit, from Mainpuri, was their distant relative.” The CO also said the bodies have been sent for an autopsy

Amreli farmer gives honourable burial to his beloved hatchback

Amreli farmer gives honourable burial to his beloved hatchback 

FIVE-HOUR SAMADHI FUNCTION CULMINATES WITH DINNER FOR 2,000

Dilip Jiruka 08.11.2024 

Rajkot : All of us have seen police dogs receiving respectable burials as a tribute to their valour in combating terrorists or sniffing out explosives and drugs. In Amreli, however, a farmer's family gave an honourable burial (samadhi) to his beloved car that reached its age. Yes, you heard it right! And it wasn’t a silent sendoff to the hatchback, which the car owner, Sanjay Polra, asserts brought the family immense prosperity and elevated their social standing ever since they drove it out of the showroom in 2006. 

The grand event held in Padarshinga village of Lathi taluka on Thursday was marked by ritualistic prayers to the family deity, after which the car, decked with flowers, was taken out in a procession to the ‘samadhi’ spot on his farm. The function, organised in the presence of saints and local spiritual preachers, culminated with a delectable spread of puris, chapatis, subji, and laddos for all 1,500 villagers and invitees. After hitting upon the ‘samadhi’ idea some days ago, Polra sent out a specially designed four-page invitation to some 2,000 people. 

The invitation read: “This car has been like a family member since 2006, and it brought us good fortunes. We gained prosperity, and our reputation in society was elevated. We want this car in our memory forever, and that's why we have planned a samadhi (burial) of this car.” "I purchased this car in 2006. Ever since I bought it, the vehicle brought my family good luck and elevated our social prestige. I wanted to do something different, so I decided on a respectable adieu in the form of samadhi for the car,” Polra said. The Polra family will offer floral tributes to the memorial on Nov 7 every year. “We will plant trees around the memorial,” said Polra. Vipul Sojitra, a villager, said, "I was amused when he invited me to the samadhi function of a car. The family wanted to do something out of the box for their beloved car.”