Passengers Protest Non-Functioning AC in CST-Bound Local Train from Kalyan
Passengers on a CST-bound AC local train from Kalyan staged a protest on Tuesday morning due to the non-functioning air conditioning system in one of the compartments. The passengers claimed that they had been experiencing difficulty breathing due to the lack of ventilation for the past two days.
Despite repeated complaints to railway authorities, the situation remained unresolved. Frustrated by the inaction, passengers blocked the train’s door open to ensure some airflow. The protest resulted in the detention of two protesters, who were later released after being served a notice by the Kalyan Railway Protection Force (RPF).
Advocate Shrirang Paranjape, one of the passengers, expressed disappointment that their concerns were not addressed and that the RPF had detained protesters instead of addressing the issue of the malfunctioning AC system. He stated that many complaints had been made online, but the situation remained unchanged.
Central Railway’s chief public relations officer, Dr. Swapnil Nila, acknowledged the issue and stated that it had been resolved. He explained that the cooling system in the affected compartment was slow due to a defect, which caused some passengers to prefer keeping the main door open. However, this action created further difficulties in maintaining the cooling system’s efficiency, prompting the RPF to take action against the two passengers who were blocking the door.
The incident highlights the importance of addressing passenger concerns promptly and ensuring the proper functioning of essential amenities in public transportation systems.