Digital bus passes to be out in 2 weeks, CUMTA issues detailed guidelines

CHENNAI

19.11.2025

Digital bus passes to be out in 2 weeks, CUMTA issues detailed guidelines

Chennai alone has about one lakh gold pass users, and CUMTA expects uptake to rise once the digital versions are introduced.

A bus passenger using the mobile phone to scan QR code from the conductor to buy ticket inside a MTC bus at Marina in Chennai.(Photo | P.Ravikumar, EPS)

C Shivakumar

Updated on:  19 Nov 2025, 8:06 am

CHENNAI: The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has issued detailed operating procedures for conductors, inspectors and transport officials ahead of the roll out of fully digital monthly passes for MTC buses. The new passes, available on the Chennai One app, are priced at Rs 1,000 for the gold tier and Rs 2,000 for the diamond tier.

Special Officer I Jayakumar said the passes will be launched within the next two weeks. “MTC currently issues passes at 54 locations. Now, commuters can access them from their homes,” he said. “We have also relaxed the validity of passes. The digital pass will be valid for 30 days from the date of purchase,” he added.

Chennai alone has about one lakh gold pass users, and CUMTA expects uptake to rise once the digital versions are introduced. Under the new system, frontline staff will check the digital pass displayed on the passenger’s phone, verify the photograph, and ensure that the correct category has been purchased. The gold pass will continue to be valid on all non-AC services, while the diamond pass covers AC buses as well.

The system relies on real-time validation: passengers must scan the QR code or OTP sticker displayed inside each bus upon boarding, enabling journey logs to be linked to the pass.

Officials have been instructed to confirm the scan and, if required, verify the bus number shown on the digital pass. Each pass displays a visible expiry date and a live timestamp to prevent misuse. CUMTA has also incorporated animated security markers that move when the phone is tilted, helping staff distinguish genuine passes from screenshots or static images.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation dominates Chennai’s bus transport, operating a vast network of 2,421 km. MTC services carry an average daily ridership of 31.8 lakh passengers as of 2024, supplemented by mofussil and private services that extend connectivity to peripheral regions. The corporation operates more than 690 named routes and serves 5,608 bus stops across the city.

New Vande Bharat Express to connect Chennai to Rameswaram in just 7 hours via Karaikudi

New Vande Bharat Express to connect Chennai to Rameswaram in just 7 hours via Karaikudi

Chennai - Rameswaram Vande Bharat express will take a route via Karaikudi, is designed to slash travel time, completing the journey in approximately seven hours, making a same-day round trip from the state capital a feasible option for passengers.

Ramkumar Published: 19 Nov 2025 13:58:PM

Chennai: In a significant boost to rail connectivity in Tamil Nadu, Indian Railways is set to launch a new Vande Bharat Express service linking Chennai Egmore with the pilgrimage town of Rameswaram. The new train, which will take a route via Karaikudi, is designed to slash travel time, completing the journey in approximately seven hours, making a same-day round trip from the state capital a feasible option for passengers.

A Game-Changer for Speed: Chennai to Trichy in Under 4 Hours

The new service promises to be one of the fastest rail links in the state. According to the provisional timetable, the train will depart from Chennai Egmore at 5:30 AM and from Tambaram at 5:52 AM, arriving at Trichy by 9:20 AM—a journey of under four hours. This is a significant reduction compared to the six or more hours typically taken by other trains and buses, offering a swift and comfortable alternative for business and leisure travelers alike.

Chennai Rameswaram Vande Bharat Route and Timings: The Complete Schedule

The train will connect several key towns in central and southern Tamil Nadu. Here is the detailed provisional schedule for the Chennai Egmore to Rameswaram route:

Chennai Egmore: 5:30 AM

Tambaram: 5:52 AM

Villupuram: 7:20 AM

Trichy: 9:20 AM

Pudukkottai: 10:00 AM

Karaikudi: 10:40 AM

Sivaganga: 11:15 AM

Ramanathapuram: 12:15 PM

Rameswaram: 1:15 PM

The return journey will commence from Rameswaram at 2:30 PM, arriving at Chennai Egmore by 10:20 PM the same day. The train will operate on all days of the week except Wednesday.

Enhanced Connectivity for Southern Districts

This new Vande Bharat service marks a major infrastructure upgrade for districts like Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, and Sivaganga, providing them with a high-speed, direct link to the state capital. While the fare is expected to be premium compared to other mail or express trains, the unparalleled speed and comfort are likely to make it a popular choice for travellers seeking efficiency. The official launch date is awaited, and the stopping places and timings are subject to final confirmation upon the start of operations.

ரூ.127 கோடியில் மேம்படுத்தப்படும் ‘சென்னை பஸ்’ செயலி

ரூ.127 கோடியில் மேம்படுத்தப்படும் ‘சென்னை பஸ்’ செயலி 

‘சென்னை பஸ்’ செயலியை ரூ.127 கோடியில் கூடுதல் வசதிகளுடன் மாநகா் போக்குவரத்துக்கழகம் மேம்படுத்தி வருகிறது.

தினமணி செய்திச் சேவை

 Updated on: 03 அக்டோபர் 2025, 3:24 am 

‘சென்னை பஸ்’ செயலியை ரூ.127 கோடியில் கூடுதல் வசதிகளுடன் மாநகா் போக்குவரத்துக்கழகம் மேம்படுத்தி வருகிறது.

சென்னை மாநகா் மற்றும் புகா் பகுதிகளில் மாநகா் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகம் சாா்பில் 3,400-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. மகளிருக்கான இலவச பேருந்துகளுடன், பள்ளி, கல்லூரி மாணவ, மாணவிகள், முதியோா், மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகளுக்கு சிறப்புப் பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டு வருவதால், நாளுக்கு நாள் மாநகா் பேருந்துகளை பயன்படுத்துபவா்களின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரித்து வருகிறது.

இதில், பயணிகளின் வசதிக்காக பேருந்துகளின் நேரம், வருகை உள்ளிட்டவற்றை தெரிந்துகொள்ள ‘சென்னை பஸ்’ செயலி தற்போது நடைமுறையில் உள்ளது. இந்தச் செயலியை லட்சக்கணக்கான பயணிகள் பயன்படுத்தி வரும் நிலையில், மெட்ரோ, மின்சார ரயில், மாநகா் பேருந்து உள்ளிட்டவற்றில் ஒரே நேரத்தில் பயணிக்கும் வகையிலான ‘சென்னை ஒன்’ செயலி சமீபத்தில் பொதுமக்கள் பயன்பாட்டுக்கு கொண்டு வரப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இது பொதுமக்களிடையே பெரும் வரவேற்பை பெற்றுள்ள நிலையில், ‘சென்னை பஸ்’ செயலியை கூடுதல் வசதிகளுடன் மேம்படுத்த சென்னை மாநகா் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகம் திட்டமிட்டுள்ளது.

இதுகுறித்து மாநகா் போக்குவரத்துக் கழக அதிகாரிகள் சிலா் கூறியது:

மாநகா் பேருந்துகளில் பொருத்தப்பட்டுள்ள ஜிபிஎஸ் கருவி மூலம் பேருந்தின் வருகை, புறப்படும் நேரம் குறித்தத் தகவல்களை செயலி மூலம் பயணிகள் தெரிந்துகொள்கின்றனா். ஆனால், குறைந்த எண்ணிக்கையிலான பேருந்துகளின் தகவல்களே இந்தச் செயலியுடன் இணைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. இதனால், பயணிகள் கடும் சிரமத்துக்குள்ளாகி வந்தனா்.

இதைக் கருத்தில் கொண்டு தற்போது, ரூ.127 கோடியில் மாநகா் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்தின் அனைத்து பேருந்துகளின் வருகை, புறப்பாடு உள்ளிட்ட தகவல்களை ‘சென்னை பஸ்’ செயலியுடன் இணைக்க மாநகா் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகம் திட்டமிட்டு அதற்கான பணிகளில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகிறது.

இந்தத் திட்டத்தின் ஒருபகுதியாக கிளாம்பாக்கம், தாம்பரம் சானடோரியம், தியாகராய நகா், கோயம்பேடு உள்ளிட்ட 600-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பேருந்து நிறுத்தங்களில் இந்த டிஜிட்டல் பலகைகள் சோதனை அடிப்படையில் வைக்கப்பட்டன.

இது வெற்றியடைந்த நிலையில், அனைத்து பேருந்து நிறுத்தங்களிலும், இந்த டிஜிட்டல் தகவல் பலகையை நிறுவும் பணிகள் தீவிரப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன. இந்தப் பலகையுடன் பேருந்தின் ஜிபிஎஸ் கருவி, செயலி இணைக்கப்படும். இதையடுத்து அனைத்து பேருந்துகளின் தகவல்களையும் தெளிவாக தெரிந்துகொள்ளலாம். இந்தப் பணிகள் அனைத்தும் விரைவில் முடிக்கப்பட்டு மேம்படுத்தப்பட்ட செயலி பயணிகள் பயன்பாட்டுக்கு வரும் என்றனா்.

CM Stalin inaugurates city’s fast steel flyover built at cost of Rs 165 crore in T Nagar

CM Stalin inaugurates city’s fast steel flyover built at cost of Rs 165 crore in T Nagar

The flyover is expected to carry more than 40,000 vehicles daily and benefit nearly two lakh commuters.

CM M K Stalin inaugurated the J Anbazhagan flyover in T Nagar on Tuesday. The structure is named after late MLA J Anbazhagan, who was elected from the T Nagar constituency in the 2001 Assembly polls Ashwin Prasath

Express News Service

Updated on:

01 Oct 2025, 9:27 am

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday inaugurated the city’s first steel flyover at Thiyagaraya Nagar, the J Anbazhagan flyover, named after late MLA J Anbazhagan, who was elected from the T Nagar constituency in the 2001 Assembly election.

The Rs 164.92-crore flyover, constructed using 3,800 MT of steel by the Greater Chennai Corporation, connects South Usman Road to CIT Nagar Main Road in T Nagar. It is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion, especially at the busy junctions of South Usman Road-Burkit Road-Madley Road, South Usman Road-South West Boag Road-New Boag Road, and South Usman Road-CIT Nagar North Road.

This new two-lane flyover is 1,200m long and 8.40m wide. It has been integrated with the existing 800-m concrete flyover on South Usman Road using advanced technology, giving the structure a combined length of 2km. The project also includes a 120-m access ramp from the T Nagar bus terminus and a 100-m exit ramp leading towards the T Nagar shopping area via South Usman Road.

CM M K Stalin inaugurated the J Anbazhagan flyover in T Nagar on Tuesday. The structure is named after late MLA J Anbazhagan, who was elected from the T Nagar constituency in the 2001 Assembly polls | ashwin prasath

The flyover is expected to carry more than 40,000 vehicles daily and benefit nearly two lakh commuters.

Speaking to TNIE, S Arumugam (50), an auto driver in the area, said, “The new flyover has provided a dedicated space to travel for shoppers visiting T Nagar, with parking facilities below the structure and a service road leading towards Panagal Park, Kodambakkam, and Anna Nagar.

Vehicles commuting via South Usman Road to Saidapet or Adyar can use the flyover, thereby separating traffic movement and easing congestion. However, its true benefits can only be assessed during weekends and the festive season,” he added.

According to an official release, in the past four years, the city corporation has constructed bridges at 13 locations at a total cost of `300.16 crore.

Social media abuzz with glitches in Chennai One Issues Include Screen Bugs, Untrained Conductors

Social media abuzz with glitches in Chennai One Issues Include Screen Bugs, Untrained Conductors

Omjasvin.MD@timesofindia.com  26.09.2025

Chennai : Teething troubles while using Chennai One app, which recorded nearly two lakh downloads in four days, have kept social media abuzz with commuters using the ChennaiOne hashtag or tagging Chennai One to flag glitches and provide feedback. A large number of users wanted the facility to book ‘return ticket’ in local trains, and some said MTC bus conductors were still unaware of the app, leading to discussions aboard crowded buses.

Another user reported bugs in the ‘Book Metro’ screen as they couldn’t find the ‘green line’. K Senthil, a user from Chromepet, said it also did not allow booking tickets from within the railway station due to geo-location issues. Cumta (Chennai unified metropolitan transport authority) must add return ticket booking facility soon,” he said. 

Another user, R Bharat from Tambaram, flagged that all the bus routes hadn’t been mapped yet. “Just two bus routes were seen in the app,” he said. Users also flagged ‘bus bunching’ at prime stops such as Vadapalani, as buses didn’t stop despite the app mandating stoppage there. 

S Sathish Kumar, a user, said he booked the bus route no. 72, and the app said the bus would arrive at 4pm. “But, about six buses of different routes came to the bus stop all at once. Only two of them stopped, while the remaining overtook the others and went without stopping. This defeats the purpose of booking tickets,” he said, adding that he waited another 20 minutes to get the next bus. 

Commuters also said conductors weren’t entirely aware of the system. Bharat said the online ticket should change from grey to green once it is activated inside the MTC bus. “But, after scanning the code, it took 10 minutes for it to turn green. Conductors were impatient and urged people to buy tickets. This led to unnecessary arguments,” he said. Commuters said the ticket validity for railways was just three hours, unlike the six hours for MTC. Of 20,000 ticket bookings completed, 58% were MTC, 22% railways, and 20% metro. 

Southern Railway on Thursday in an X post announced that they were adding AC EMU booking options soon. Cumta member-secretary I Jeyakumar said their team has been rectifying all the glitches instantly. “Season passes for MTC and railways have been the major demand. These will be rolled out,” he said

Tirunelveli–Chennai Vande Bharat now chugs with 20 coaches

Tirunelveli–Chennai Vande Bharat now chugs with 20 coaches

Tirunelveli - Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express Train leaves Tirunelveli with 20 coaches on Wednesday. Special Arrangement

The Hindu Bureau

Tirunelveli  25.09.2025

The Tirunelveli – Chennai Vande Bharat Express Train has begun its service with 20 coaches from Wednesday onwards.

The Tirunelveli – Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express Train with eight coaches started its journey in September 2023. Leaving Tirunelveli Junction at 6.05 a.m., this train covers 653 km to reach its destination at 1.55 p.m. In the return journey, the train departs Chennai Egmore at 2.45 p.m. to reach Tirunelveli at 10.30 a.m.

Since the train crosses this distance within 7 hours 50 minutes, even as all other super fast express trains on this section take more than 10 hours, patronage for this service is swelling everyday, notwithstanding premium ticket fare. Following an appeal from Tirunelveli MP C. Robert Bruce, the Southern Railway increased the coaches to 16 in January last for carrying 1,128 passengers, which too could not meet the demand. Hence, the service with 20 brand-new coaches was started on Wednesday for serving 1,440 commuters.

Stalin launches Chennai One app to bring seamless commute experience

Stalin launches Chennai One app to bring seamless commute experience

The mobile app from CUMTA works as a journey planner for commuters and provides multiple transport options, including buses, Chennai Metro Rail, suburban trains, and autorickshaws. The app enables its users to travel by different modes of commute using a single QR code ticket

Ease of travel: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister P.K. Sekarbabu and Chennai Mayor R. Priya with other Ministers and officials during the launch of the mobile application ‘Chennai One’ in Chennai on Monday.

 SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI. 23.09.2025

With the launch by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday, Chennai city has now got a single ticketing application — ‘Chennai One’ for commuting using different modes of transportation.

Rigorous testing

The mobile app that underwent trials for many months aims bring in a seamless commuting experience for travellers in city.

This app works as a journey planner for a commuter and offers multiple options of commuting including buses, Chennai Metro Rail services, suburban trains or autos.

The plan for developing an app to create a single QR code was mooted by Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA)more than two years ago and following that,CUMTA did the ‘Journey Planner-cum-Integrated Ticketing in Chennai Metropolitan Area’ study.

With 47 lakh travellers in the city commuting using different modes, CUMTA felt such an app could significantly benefit commuters if it could help them plan their daily travel and generate a single QR code ticket that could be used in all these modes.

Subsequently, they floated bids, awarded the contract for developing the app. Early this year, CUMTA started trials for the app before the launch on Monday.

On the social media platform X, CUMTA said: “For the first time ever, MTC Buses, Metro Rail, Suburban Rail, Autos & Cabs come together in ONE powerful app CHENNAI ONE – making travel in Chennai seamless, smart & stress-free.”

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Natural Resources S. Regupathy,Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S Muthusamy, Chennai Mayor R. PriyaandMinister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) P.K. Sekarbabu were also present at the launch of the app.

How to use the app

After downloading the mobile application (available for free on both Android and iOS platforms), a commuter has to register their mobile phone number which is verified through one-time password (OTP). Later, the user is required to enter details including their full name, e-mail address, gender. Then, the commuter has to provide the origin and destination of the journey.

User choice

After a request for location access, the app will ask the preferred mode of transport of the commuter and the if the commuter wants fewer transfers, best route or less walking.

For instance, if someone wants to travel from Vadapalani to Thiruvanmiyur, the app indicates a few commuting options, routes and cost taken to travel for each route. One of the routes suggested for travel between Vadapalani and Thiruvanmiyur is 13.4 km ride (a 50-minute trip) which will cost the commuter ₹35.

As the first option, the commuter is suggested to walk to the nearest Vadapalani Metro Rail station and to take a train till Ekkatuthangal. For the second leg of the journey, the app suggests the option of bus and an auto; if the commuter chooses to travel by bus, it provides direction to the nearest bus stop, the bus number (49, in this case) and time taken to the stop, which is about half a km walk.

The final step is the last leg of the ride by the bus till Thiruvanimyur.

If the commuter picks the route he wants to travel by, then the app takes him to the payment gateway and provides the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) option and finally, the single QR code ticket is generated.

Get your Singara Chennai card on bus

Get your Singara Chennai card on bus 

Conductors Of MTC To Sell 20K Cards 

Ramyasre.N@timesofindia.com 27.08.2025

Chennai : Chennai’s bus conductors will soon double up as digital wallet agents, with MTC set to distribute 20,000 Singara Chennai mobility cards from mid-Sept. 

The cards, part of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) platform, will allow seamless travel across MTC buses and Chennai Metro with a single tap. About 1,600 conductors will sell and assist passengers with the new cards, which will be available on routes linked to key metro stations such as Saidapet, Alandur, K K Nagar, Ambattur, and Chennai Central. 

Until now, the cards were sold only at major termini such as Poonamallee, Ambattur, Broadway, T Nagar, and Koyambedu. “This is part of our larger digital push to make travel seamless. 

UPI takes around 20 seconds, and people may not always want to enter their PIN in public. The card works with just a tap, saving both time and ensuring security,” said MTC assistant manager (projects II) Saravana Raja. 

The new version, priced at ₹50, can be self-activated via WhatsApp, unlike earlier cards that required activation through MTC staff. Since Jan, State Bank of India has issued about 35,000 cards, while Airtel, which joined in March, distributed around 12,000 with QR-based recharge options.

 In the latest tie-up, Orbit Wallet will enable conductors to sell the cards directly to commuters. “SBI’s cards were faster than UPI, Airtel’s allowed recharges through apps, but both lacked self-activation. With Orbit Wallet, we are bringing the card to bus commuters directly,” said MTC managing director T PrabhuShankar. 

MTC currently records about 85,000 digital transactions a day, nearly a quarter of them card-based. A pilot run was conducted earlier this year on routes such as 17D and 15, and citywide rollout will follow training sessions for conductors next month. But, not all staff are convinced. “Many commuters forget to recharge. Even if they top up on the spot, it takes time for the balance to reflect, so UPI often feels quicker,” said a conductor on route 72, M Sudhakar. Commuters, however, have largely welcomed the move. “I top up ₹200 often and use the metro a lot. The card usually works fine and makes travel easier,” said a college student, S Malavika. MTC officials said a statewide rollout was in the works, with plans to extend the card to TNSTC and SETC services as well.

Don’t let TNSTC buses cross four toll plazas in south Tamil Nadu, says High Court

Don’t let TNSTC buses cross four toll plazas in south Tamil Nadu, says High Court

The petitioners said most government buses were not equipped with FASTag, in violation of the rules framed by the Centre.

MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S. 09.07.2025

CHENNAI The Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered that Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses should not be allowed to pass through the toll plazas maintained by four concessionaires on the national highways leading to the southern districts of the State from July 10, owing to ₹276 crore in toll fee arrears.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh said he had no choice but to take the extreme step of preventing public transportation through the toll plazas since the State transport department had not taken steps to settle the arrears with the four National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) concessionaires.

Conscious of passing a shocking order that could lead to law and order issues, the judge directed the Director General of Police/Head of Police Force (DGP/HoPF) to ensure the deployment of adequate police personnel at Kappalur, Etturavattam, Salaipudhur and Nanguneri toll plazas to prevent any untoward incident.

The judge directed the High Court Registry to mark a copy of his interim order to the DGP as well as the Inspector General of Police (south zone) for compliance in letter and in spirit, and decided to take stock of the situation on July 15.

The concessionaires

Madurai-Kanniyakumari Tollway Private Limited, Kanniyakumari-Etturavattam Tollway Private Limited, Salaipudur-Madurai Tollway Private Limited, and Nanguneri-Kanniyakumari Tollway Private Limited had approached the court last year by filing individual writ petitions.

Senior counsel Sathish Parasaran, representing the writ petitioners, contended that his clients had been suffering huge losses due to the failure of Tamil Nadu government buses to pay toll charges despite using the national highways for transporting their passengers.

Law and order

He said most government buses were not equipped with FASTag, in violation of the rules framed by the Centre. Mr. Parasaran said the toll plaza staff would not dare to stop the buses over non-payment of toll, due to the fear that it may lead to law and order issues.

It was brought to the notice of the court that the State transport corporations had settled only about ₹48.5 crore in dues, and that ₹276 crore (including the principal amount of ₹116 crore, apart from penalty and interest) was yet to be paid to the four NHAI concessionaires.

After recording the submissions, Justice Venkatesh said the amount may end up increasing to ₹300 crore to ₹400 crore if the transport corporations continue to prolong the issue instead of settling the dues with the concessionaires.

He said the government officials may not understand the seriousness of the issue or act swiftly unless the extreme step of stopping the buses at the toll plazas was resorted to. He said the corporations had brought such a precarious situation upon themselves, adversely affecting the common people.

Private cars can get FASTag-based annual pass for Rs 3000

Private cars can get FASTag-based annual pass for Rs 3000 

18.06.2025

In a post on X, Gadkari said the pass is valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. The pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. PTI Last Updated : 18 June 2025, 13:20 IST Follow Us :

A file photo of the toll booth near the airport in Bengaluru. Credit: DH photo New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the government will introduce a FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles, priced at Rs 3,000, effective from August 15, in a step towards hassle-free highway travel.

நிரந்தர ஊழியர்களும்... விபத்தில்லா பயணமும்!

நிரந்தர ஊழியர்களும்... விபத்தில்லா பயணமும்! 

பணியிடங்கள் அனைத்தும் நிரந்தர ஊழியர்களால் நிரப்பப்பட்டு, அவர்கள் சரியான வேலை நேரத்தில் பணியாற்றி, நஷ்டமில்லா, விபத்தில்லா பயணத்தை அரசு உறுதிசெய்யும் நாளை எதிர்நோக்கியிருக்கின்றனர் மக்கள்.

எம்.மாரியப்பன் Published on:  13 ஜூன் 2025, 6:31 am Updated on:  13 ஜூன் 2025, 6:31 am 2 min read 

அதிகரித்துவரும் காலிப் பணியிடங்களை ஈடுசெய்ய, ஒப்பந்த அடிப்படையில் ஓட்டுநர், நடத்துநர்களை அரசுப் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகம் பணியமர்த்தி வருகிறது.

தனியாரிடமிருந்த பேருந்து சேவை, பொதுமக்களின் நலன் கருதி, கடந்த 1972-இல் தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் கொண்டுவரப்பட்டது. தற்போது சென்னை, விழுப்புரம், கும்பகோணம், திருச்சி, மதுரை, கோவை, சேலம், திருநெல்வேலி என எட்டு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக கோட்டங்கள் மற்றும் விரைவுப் பேருந்துகளுக்கான ஒரு தனிக் கோட்டம் செயல்பாட்டில் உள்ளது.

அரசுப் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்தில் சுமார் 22,000 பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டு வருகின்றன. சுமார் 1.50 லட்சம் பேர் பணியாற்றுகின்றனர். இதில், மொத்த ஓட்டுநர், நடத்துநர் பணியிடங்களில் 30 சதவீதம் காலியாக உள்ளதாகவும், இதனால், முதுநிலை ஓட்டுநர், நடத்துநர்கள் அதிகபட்சம் 16 மணிநேரம் வரை பணியாற்றும் நெருக்கடியான சூழலுக்குத் தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளதாவும் அவர்கள் வருந்துகின்றனர்.

இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் ஓய்வின்றி பணியாற்றுவதால் பேருந்துகள் ஆங்காங்கே விபத்தில் சிக்கும் சம்பவங்களும் நிகழ்கின்றன. "ஒன் டூ ஒன்' என்ற இடைநில்லா விரைவுப் பேருந்துகளில் பெரும்பாலும் தனியாக நடத்துநர் இல்லை. இவர்கள் பேருந்து புறப்படும் இடத்திலேயே பயணக் கட்டணத்தை வசூலித்துக்கொண்டு இறங்கிவிடுகின்றனர். பிறகு, ஓட்டுநர் மட்டுமே பயணிகளுக்கு பொறுப்பேற்று அவர்களைக் கொண்டு சேர்க்கிறார். இதுபோன்ற நேரங்களில் பேருந்தில் திடீரென பழுது ஏற்பட்டாலோ, விபத்து நேரிட்டாலோ, போக்குவரத்து நெரிசலில் சிக்கினாலோ ஓட்டுநரும், பயணிகளும் மிகுந்த அவதிக்குள்ளாகின்றனர்.

போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்தில் காலிப் பணியிடங்களை நிரப்ப, கடந்த 2023-இல் சென்னை, கோவை, மதுரை உள்ளிட்ட பெருநகரங்களில் ஒப்பந்த அடிப்படையில் ஓட்டுநர்களை நியமிக்கும் முயற்சியை நிர்வாகம் மேற்கொண்டது. இதற்கு நிரந்தரப் பணியாளர்கள் எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவிக்கவே அந்தத் திட்டம் தற்காலிகமாக கைவிடப்பட்டது.

அதற்கு மாற்றாக பணியில் இருந்து ஓய்வுபெற்ற ஓட்டுநர், நடத்துநர்களை மீண்டும் பணிக்கு வருமாறு அழைத்தனர். நாள் ஒன்றுக்கு ரூ. 800 முதல் ரூ. 1,200 வரை ஊதியம் வழங்கியபோதும், அவர்கள் தொடர்ந்து பணிக்கு வரவில்லை. கடந்த ஓராண்டாக ஒப்பந்த அடிப்படையில் பணியாளர்கள் நியமனம் நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. ரூ. 20,000 முன்பணம் செலுத்திவிட்டு பணியில் சேர்ந்துகொள்ளலாம்; தினமும் ரூ. 1,400 ஊதியமாக வழங்கப்படுகிறது. இந்தப் பணிக்கு இளைஞர்கள் பலர் ஆர்வத்துடன் வருகின்றனர்.

தமிழக அரசின் விடியல் பயணத் திட்டத்தின் கீழ் இயக்கப்படும் நகரப் பேருந்துகள், விடுமுறைக் காலங்களில் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்புப் பேருந்துகளில் பெரும்பாலும் ஒப்பந்த ஓட்டுநர், நடத்துநர்களே அதிகம் உள்ளனர். அவர்கள், பயணிகளின் பாதுகாப்பில் போதிய அக்கறை எடுத்துக்கொள்வதில்லை என்ற குற்றச்சாட்டு உள்ளது.

காலிப் பணியிடங்களின் எண்ணிக்கை நாளுக்கு நாள் அதிகரித்து வருவதாகவும், கடந்த இரண்டு ஆண்டுகளில் 20 சதவீதம் அதிகரித்துள்ளதாகவும் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத் தொழிலாளர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர். இதனால், "2, 3 டூட்டி' தொடர்ந்து பார்க்குமாறு அதிகாரிகள் கட்டாயப்படுத்துவதாகவும், உணவு, உறக்கமின்றி நெருக்கடியான நிலையில் தாங்கள் பணியாற்றுவதாகவும் அவர்கள் வருந்துகின்றனர்.

அதுமட்டுமின்றி தொழிற்சங்கங்களின் நிர்வாகிகள் பலர் பணிக்குச் செல்லாமலே வருகையை பதிவுசெய்து ஊதியம் பெறுகின்றனர். ஒரு பணிமனையில், ஒரு தொழிற்சங்கத்துக்கு குறைந்தது 5 பேர் உள்ளனர். இவர்களை பணியில் முறையாக ஈடுபடுத்தினாலே காலியிடங்களை ஓரளவு குறைக்க முடியும் என்றும் தொழிலாளர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர்.

ஆனால், அதிகாரிகள் தரப்பில் "அரசுப் போக்குவரத்துக் கழகத்தில் காலிப் பணியிடங்களை நிரப்பும் பொருட்டு மாற்று நடவடிக்கையாக ஒப்பந்த அடிப்படையில் பணி நியமனம் நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. அவ்வப்போது அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட்டு நிரந்தர அடிப்படையிலும் பணியாளர் நியமனம் நடைபெறுகிறது'' என்றனர்.

ஓட்டுநர்களிடம் பணியின்போது பயணிகளிடம் எவ்வாறு செயல்பட வேண்டும் என்பதை நாள்தோறும் தெளிவுபடுத்தி வருகிறோம். அண்மையில் போதையில் பேருந்தை இயக்கிய நாமக்கல் ஓட்டுநரின் உரிமத்தை ரத்து செய்ததுடன், மீண்டும் அவர் பணியில் இணையாதவாறு நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொண்டுள்ளோம்.

மொத்தத்தில் பெரும்பாலான அரசுத் துறைகளைப் போலவே பணியாளர் பற்றாக்குறை, தற்காலிக அல்லது ஒப்பந்தப் பணியாளர்கள் நியமனம் எனப் போக்குவரத்துக் கழக நிறுவனமும் இயங்கி வருகிறது. முந்தைய காலங்களைப் போல, பணியிடங்கள் அனைத்தும் நிரந்தர ஊழியர்களால் நிரப்பப்பட்டு, அவர்கள் சரியான வேலை நேரத்தில் பணியாற்றி, நஷ்டமில்லா, விபத்தில்லா பயணத்தை அரசு உறுதிசெய்யும் நாளை எதிர்நோக்கியிருக்கின்றனர் மக்கள்.

Work on final section of Vikravandi-Thanjavur NH to begin next month

Work on final section of Vikravandi-Thanjavur NH to begin next month

A view of the just completed Cholapuram-Sethiyathope four-lane highway section of Vikravandi-Thanjavur National Highway.

Fresh contract awarded for the third package of the project just as the work on Cholapuram- Sethiyathope section of the highway has been completed by National Highways Authority of India

S.Ganesan

TIRUCHI  11.06.2025

Construction of the long-delayed third and final section of the four-lane Vikravandi-Thanjavur National Highway, between Sethiyathope and Vikravandi, is set to commence next month.

The project is being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in three packages — from Thanjavur to Cholapuram; Cholapuram to Sethiyathope; and Sethiyathope to Vikravandi.

The NHAI has just completed work on the second package of the highway, covering the stretch from Sethiyathope and Cholapuram. Although motorists are already using the section, it would formally open to traffic with the commencement of user fee collection at the Manambadi Toll Plaza from June 12.

The 50-km long section, developed at an estimated cost of ₹2,357 crore (including land acquisition and utility shifting), includes three bypasses and four major bridges. A new bridge has been built across the Kollidam river at Anaikkarai.

In January this year, the Cholapuram-Thanjavur section of the highway was opened for traffic. Service organisations in the delta region had been pressing for the early commencement of the Sethiyathope-Vikravandi package, as the NHAI had terminated the contract awarded for the section and decided to go for a fresh tender.

“The tender for developing the Vikravandi-Sethiyathope section into a four lane highway has been awarded recently. The land acquisition for the 66-km long section has been completed and the work will begin in July. The project is expected to be completed in two years,” sources in NHAI told The Hindu.

Two new bypass pass roads would come up at Vadalur and Panruti, running for a total distance of 18 km, on the section which would entail an investment of about ₹2,000 crore approximately.

The entire project, originally scheduled for completion by September 2020, had run into a long delay due to various factors, including Cyclone Gaja, the COVID-19 pandemic and issues in land acquisition. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari’s had inspected the progress of the project in September 2024.

Once completed, the four-lane highway is expected to give a big push to the development of the central region, especially Villupuram, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur districts. Besides reducing the travel time between Thanjavur and Chennai, it would even help reduce the traffic on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway as those bound to southern destinations such as Karaikudi, Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram could take the NH 36 (Vikravandi-Manamadurai), the sources said.

The news on the award of the contract has brought cheer to the locals.

“We welcome the award of the fresh contract and hope the NHAI would closely monitor the project and complete it expeditiously,” said V. Sathiyanarayanan, secretary, All Traders Associations of Kumbakonam.

Tambaram faulty escalator irks commuters

Tambaram faulty escalator irks commuters 

Christopher.M@timesofindia.com 07.04.2025

Chennai : For thousands of commuters passing through Tambaram, the foot overbridge (FOB) connecting GST Road to the pedestrian platform near Tambaram Railway Station has become a source of frustration as the escalator there breaks down frequently. This forces people to take the stairs or lengthy ramps, causing significant inconvenience, particularly for people with disabilities, senior citizens, children, and those carrying heavy luggage.

 “For people like me, it’s an everyday struggle,” said T Suresh Kumar, a person with disabilities, who is resident of Tambaram Camp Road. ‘Elevator under maintenance’ is a common sight for suburban train users in Tambaram. Even on platforms, the escalators rarely function consistently, he said. 

“Just last week, I lost my balance and fell down the stairs. Thankfully, others helped. Despite repeated complaints to the station master, who keeps assuring of a swift resolution, there has been no tangible progress,” he said. 

S Valli, also a regular user of the FOB, pointed out the increasing encroachment by hawkers. “Earlier, vendors only occupied the pavements near the bus terminus. Now, they are all over the foot overbridge. It is difficult to walk through this congestion,” she said. Valli also raised concerns about safety.

 “With the absence of CCTV sur veillance, the area has become unsafe for women” she said. S Aravind, a resident of Tambaram Periyar Street, echoed her sentiments. “Tipplers often occupy the bus terminus and the foot overbridge for illegal activities. Police must take action to curb this menace,” he said. Attempts by TOI to reach railway officials for their comment went unanswered, but an official from the highways department, responsible for the FOB’s maintenance, said that a private contractor is in-charge to daily maintenance. “Repairs are carried out whenever problems are reported,” he said.

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.