While people have praised the Cleanliness and web ticketing services of the Indian Railways, they looked more concerned about the safety aspect of the country’s largest transporter. An online survey revealed that safety is still a big concern with 44% citizens believing there have been no improvements in safety and security in Indian railways in the last 3 years while 43% believe there has been a marginal improvement.
In the survey conducted by Local Circles, People said that IRCTC website had had major improvements and booking tickets online have become pretty easy now. The trains have become cleaner and better amenities are now available at the stations. Other decisions like increasing the speed of the trains, introducing high-speed trains like Tejas and the proposed bullet trains have caught people’s fancies.
The survey revealed that safety is still a big concern with people as many rail accidents have happened in the last 3 years and accident warning devices have still not been installed in all trains. The first poll showed that 44% citizens believe there have been no improvements in safety and security in Indian railways in the last 3 years while 43% believe there has been a marginal improvement. 10,866 votes came in on this question.
To reduce accidents, citizens suggested that anti-collision devices be installed in all trains and budgets for buying track testing equipment should be increased. They also pointed out that many coaches are as much as 30 years old and should be retired and replaced with modern steel or aluminum ones. They also said that baggage limitations should be put in place for each passenger and all unmanned crossings should be made automatic with the help of sensors.
People have been quite unhappy with the increase in railway fares and have felt a pinch in their pockets. In the second poll, 30% said that fare structures implemented in the last 3 years they have become worse and 24% said they are same as before. 14% said that the fare structures now are much better while 32% said they were marginally better than before. This poll received 9,406 votes.
The move of introducing a flexi-fare did not gain much popularity with the citizens as it increased the ticket price of trains like Shatabdi and Rajdhani quite steeply.
In the third poll, people were asked how the cleanliness of trains and railway stations improved in the last 3 years. 31% said the improvement was sizable, 46% said it was marginal, 17% said there has been no improvement and 6% said cleanliness had gotten worse. 9,002 people voted on this poll.
To improve the cleanliness further, people suggested that railways automate the cleaning process wherever possible.
The fourth poll saw 43% citizens voting in the favour of a sizably improved passenger services and amenities in the last 3 years with 43% saying improvements have been marginal. 26% said there were no improvements and 9% said they have become worse. 10,631 citizens took part in this poll.
When it came to services and amenities, people wanted the quality and hygiene levels of food served in trains should be improved. They wanted the train toilet accessories to be effectively maintained and hassle fee coolie services should be provided.
When asked how has the ticketing via IRCTC website improved in the last 3 years, 38% of the 9,261 participants said the improvements have been sizable and another 38% said improvement has been marginal. Only 16% said that there were no improvements and 8% said it had become worse.
In the last poll, 16% people said there has been a sizable improvement in the timeliness of the trains in the last 3 years and 40% said that the improvements have been marginal. 32% said there has been no improvement and 12% said the situation has become worse. A total of 8,744 votes were polled on this question.
Safety still a Concern
· About 44% people believe there have been no improvements in safety and security in Indian railways in the last 3 years while 43% believe there has been a marginal improvement.
· About 30% people said that fare structures implemented in the last 3 years they have become worse and 24% said they are same as before.
· On cleanliness, 31% said the improvement was sizable, 46% said it was marginal, 17% said there has been no improvement and 6% said cleanliness had gotten worse.
· 43% voted in favour of sizable improved passenger services and amenities in the last 3 years with another 43% saying improvements have been marginal.
· Total 16% people said there has been a sizable improvement in the timeliness of the trains in the last 3 years and 40% said that the improvements have been marginal.