It’s like a sense of déjà vu all over again. Last May, when the newly-launched Tejas Express was vandalized and miscreants smashed LCD screens and soiled the state-of-the-art toilets, it was a blemish on Indian society and how we take for granted what the government provides us. Some of us – the more idealistic in nature – hoped that there would be a change in attitude, but if a Mumbai Mirror report is to go by, nothing seems to have changed at all.
According to the report, passengers have ‘destroyed’ the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express, just four months after the train service was upgraded with Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches with better amenities. On a recent inspection of the train, it was found that it had wrecked tray tables, dislodged armrests, damaged upholstery, torn curtains, smashed windows, and health faucets, taps, toughened glass of luggage racks, trash bins and mirrors stolen.
“The frequent incidents of vandalism and theft have left the Central Railway with a repair bill of around Rs 9 lakh, excluding the cost of paint needed to gloss over hundreds of paan stains and other signs of defacement,” the report added.
In March this year, railway authorities expressed 'disgust' in the way passengers deal with amenities provided to them.
On February 7, the railway ministry issued a circular to all zonal railways after receiving complaints on back-mounted infotainment screens on coaches. “The matter was examined in Railway Board and following instructions are issued. Individual seat-mounted infotainment system to be discontinued in the existing coaches as well as the new manufacture,” said the circular.
Launching a high speed train with a speed of 200 kmph, Tejas Express was launched amidst much fanfare. This semi-luxurious train was flagged off to Goa on Monday (May 22) from Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai and returned from its trip on May 23.
However, it seems like we Indians don't know how to use things in a civil manner. On its maiden journey from Mumbai to Goa, train windows were smashed, headphones were stolen and the toilets were soiled.
The passenger association, however, demanded that the fares for the train be reduced as the amenities were being removed. ““People die on tracks every day. Does the railways stop the Mumbai suburban services? The railways should repair the damaged screens instead of removing them. The LCD screens were one of the prime attractions of the train. The railways should reduce the train fare,” said Subhash Gupta, president of Rail Yatri Parishad, while speaking to Hindustan Times.
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 "Panchvati Express after it was revamped")
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