Failure of air conditioning in Chair Car

Application for seeking information under RTI Act 2005

Chief Public Information Officer & Dy. G.M. Law
Northern Railway, Baroda House,
New Delhi.
Phone no. 011.23386863

Dear Sir,

Preamble
The passengers traveling in coach no. ‘C 2’ of Train No. 4315 – Bareilly New Delhi Intercity Express on 6-Jan-2006 had a harrowing journey due to blowing of Cold Air and indifferent attitude of the railway staff. This morning was reported to be the coldest morning of the season by news papers - Amar Ujala and Hindustan Times. The reported temperature in the morning was in the range of 4-5 OC.

Soon after the train started its journey from Bareilly air blowers of coach C 2 started blowing chilled air. The air blowers malfunctioned. The matter was reported to the TTE - Mr. Basant Kumar. It was requested to stop the blowing of the chilled air by the blowers. The TTE informed that the Air conditioning mechanic, who was assigned to this train had not reported for duty and he does not know how to shut off the blowers. He further added that he will inform the Station Master Rampur about this problem and absence of Air conditioning mechanic.

The train stopped at Rampur and started its journey towards Moradabad. The blowers were still blowing fresh air. The TTE was approached again and he confirmed that Station Master Rampur was informed about this but no action was taken by Station Master Rampur.

The TTE, Guard and other rail staff failed to take action on complaint. The lack of courtesy of staff of Northern Railway added to their woes. There were several senior citizens abroad and the problem of getting the heart problem loomed large upon them. It has been reported that severe cold and winters can worsen the condition of the elders.

When the train reached Moradabad a person who identified himself as Air conditioning mechanic appeared along with TTE. He tried to put the blowers off and succeeded in that. But he could not start the heating.

The TTE was asked to
1. issue certificate about failure of air conditioning,
2. inform Guard of train to provide complaint book and
3. call Train Conductor or Guard or any other staff responsible to look after passenger amenities.

The TTE failed to provide TTE’s certificate about failure of air-conditioning during the entire journey from Bareilly to New Delhi.

The staff manning the said train has failed to
1. Provide safe and dependable train services;
2. Provide and ensure adequate passenger amenities in train.
3. Provide courteous and efficient services
4. Provide and maintain responsible and effective grievance registration system. The complaints and grievances book was not made available in spite of several requests during the first 4 hours of journey .
5. Provide telephone nos. of railway officers in spite of repeated requests.
6. Provide any communication with the concerned staff and officials.
7. Provide Guard/ TTE’s certificate about the failure of air conditioning/ heating system to enable passengers to get refund of the difference in Fare between AC and Non-AC class.
8. The Conductors/ Coach Attendants/ Train Superintendents/ TTEs are there to assist the passengers and for attending their complaints and grievances. The staff had been totally incapable to handle situation. Looking to their attitude, had their been a train accident, untoward incident, robbery, theft, rioting, shoot-out, arson, accidental falling of passenger from train, sudden illness the staff would have been totally incapable to handle situation.

Please provide the following information under Right to Information Act 2005.

1. Please provide the name and designation of the Air conditioning mechanic and his supervisor/ officer who were assigned to maintain and air conditioning unit of this coach
· Reasons for his continued absence and not attending to the complaint of passengers.
· Departmental action taken against Air conditioning mechanic and his supervisor/ officer for his failure to attend to the complaint of passengers.

2. Please provide a photocopy of log book or other documents maintained by Air conditioning mechanic of this train.

3. Please provide name of the train conductor, who was assigned for duty on this train.
· Reason for his continued absence and not attending to the complaint of passengers.
· Departmental action taken against train conductor for his failure to attend to the complaint of passengers.
· The reason for not issuing Air conditioning failure certificate.

4. Please provide name of the Guard, who was assigned for duty on this train.
· Reason for his continued absence and not attending to the complaint of passengers.
· Departmental action taken against Guard for his failure to attend to the complaint of passengers.
· The reason for not issuing Guard/TTE’s certificate.

5. Please provide name of the Station Masters of Rampur and Moradabad, who were on duty for this train.
· Reason for their not attending to the complaint of passengers.
· Departmental action taken against Station Masters of Rampur and Moradabad for their failure to attend to the complaint of passengers.

6. Please provide the details of action taken on emails dated 16-Jan-2007 sent to nragm@nde.vsnl.net.in, crb_rail_suggestions@rb.railnet.gov.in, gm@nr.railnet.gov.in, nragm@nde.vsnl.net.in, drm@dli.railnet.gov.in, adrmop@dli.railnet.gov.in, drm@mb.railnet.gov.in, adrm@mb.railnet.gov.in

I state that the information sought does not fall within the restrictions contained in Section 8 and 9 of the Act and to the best of my knowledge it pertains to your office. This is to certify that I, Rajiv Kumar Agarwal s/o. of Shri Shobha Ram Agarwal, am a citizen of India.

I am enclosing Indian Postal Order No. 66E 266874 payable to FA & CAO, Northern Railways, New Delhi for Rs. 10/- as prescribed application fee.

Yours sincerely,


(Rajiv Kumar Agarwal)
Editor, Reform 4 Better Governance,
SC-7, Shastri Nagar,
Ghaziabad – 201002
Mobile : 98.107.17902
email ID : rajiv50@gmail.com

Place: Ghaziabad
Date: 29-August-2007