Recently I happen to travel by train on 3rd AC and few days latter I had to travel in sleeper class. this was my first Journey after Covid 19, in Modi regime.
Journey on 3rd AC - While boarding i found few people boarding in 3rd AC, I thought may be due to tcovid 19 guidline. Interstingly due to covid 19 many facilities were withdrawn in 3rd AC, like providing blankets, pillow and towels. Train fare somehow didnt reduce but instead it increased, may be due to special train category.Also it seemed only special trains were allowed to be functional. 3rd AC, was no doubt had better facility then before specially Bio-Toilets. Bio-toilets were clean and had handwashing soap and flush system was excellent. Toilet was found to be clean through out the day, hope they IRTC has asked the staffs to clean it minimum twice a day. Handwashing soap was available at the wash bashin and also inside the toilet. Soap disenser was full till the end of my journey.
Journey on Sleeper class - After few days, I happen to travel by sleeper class. As usual I found huge crowed was waiting outside the campartment. And when the train stopped all just rushed to get in. I was expecting some major changes in the train compartment but didnt find any major changes apart from charging points. Morning when I went to toilet for loo, I was shocked to find sub standard toilet and uncleaned. I said to myself ok people have made it dirty. Then I was looking for handwash, to my surprise I didnt find any handwash or soap disenser. Bio-tiolet was also not functioning well, above all flush was also not working.
Overall, the railway network transports over 22 million passengers every day, its a huge no. I belive 80% of the mentioned population travel in 2nd or sleeper class. Now that the Modi government has become a committee and Swach Bharat Abhiyan is at its peek. Standard of toilets and handwashing practices should have given the priority. There has to be genion difference in the standard of facilities provided and quality of services in 3rd AC and sleeper class. But is it not government duty maintain atleast minimum and similar standard in toilets to ensure that the Swach Bharat Abhiyaan mission fulfills it objective and guidelines. I feel it is the duty of the government to ensure minimum faciltes are provided so that simlar outcome is obtained.
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