Delhi loses out on new train system reforms

While certain Indian cities like Mumbai take pride in and take care of their local train systems, the same cannot be said for India’s capital of New Delhi. Delhi’s new metro system is modern, fast and efficient, but the suburban trains that so many passengers rely on to get them in and out of the city everyday are in a sorry state, and with the announcements from the railway minister offering Delhiites little more than a break in the fares, the capital’s citizens are none too amused.

One traveller named Vijender Khanna, a frequent rider through Delhi to Ghaziabad says, “Forget smart cards like Mumbai, we do not even have access to basic amenities like drinking water and bathrooms in the smaller stations. The problem has only become acute over the past few months. There are just too few trains for the ever-growing number of passengers in the NCR.”

An absolute lack of cleanliness on trains and platforms is also a big concern. A local teacher, Chetna Sinha says, “My wallet was stolen twice in the last three months. It is a scary experience. As the train gets packed during rush hour, men begin boarding ladies’ compartments. The colour coding hardly deters men from pushing their way into these compartments.”