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To travel long distances by train, passengers book confirmed tickets weeks and months in advance. However, sometimes such an uncomfortable and stressful situation arises during the journey when an unauthorized or ticketless passenger from a station comes and forcibly sits on your reserved (confirmed) berth and flatly refuses to vacate the seat even on request. In such cases, sometimes disputes, heated arguments and even scuffles arise.
If you too are facing any such problem while traveling in train, then there is absolutely no need to panic or fight with anyone. Under the strict rules and modern digital system of Indian Railways, by just adopting 4 easy methods, you can get your seat vacated within minutes without any dispute.
As soon as you realize that someone else is occupying your reserved seat unauthorizedly, first contact the Traveling Ticket Examiner (TTE) or train conductor present in your coach.
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Strengths of Digital Charting: Nowadays all TTEs have modern Hand Held Terminal (HHT) It is a device which records the live status of passengers and berth allocation details of the entire coach.
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Action against unauthorized traveller: If the occupant is traveling without a ticket or on a waiting ticket, the TTE will instruct him to vacate the seat immediately. Under Section 137 and 138 of the Railway Act, heavy fine can be imposed on the unauthorized passenger and in case of non-payment of the fine, he can be deboarded from the train at the next station and produced before the Railway Magistrate.
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If TTE is not received: If TTE is not present in your coach, find out the location of TTE by asking a nearby AC coach or attendant or ask for help from the train captain.
If TTE is not found nearby or you are not being heard, then the official of Indian Railways ‘RailMadad’ (Railway Help) Platform is the fastest and most effective weapon.
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Complaint Mode: Open the RailMadad app on your smartphone or visit railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in.
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Fill details: Enter your 10 digit PNR number.
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Select complaint category: In type of complaint ‘Passenger Facilities / Unauthorized Passenger on Berth’ Or ‘Seat/Berth Occupied by Others’ Select.
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Brief description of the incident: Write your bogie number, seat number and a brief description of the problem and upload a photo if possible.
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Immediate Action: Complaints registered on Rail Madad are forwarded directly to the control room of the concerned division and the running train staff in real-time. Usually, within 10 to 15 minutes, the railway staff reaches your seat and solves the problem and only after the solution, your complaint is closed.
If you do not have access to an internet connection or the app is not working, the Railways’ all-in-one integrated helpline number 139 Remains active 24 hours a day.
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Via Call: Dial 139 from your mobile and select the option ‘Security & Emergency Assistance’ or ‘Passenger Complaint’ in the IVR menu. The call will be directly connected to the customer care executive. Tell them your PNR number, train number, coach and berth number.
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Via SMS: You can also lodge a complaint by sending SMS to 139 from your registered number. Immediately after receiving the message, an alert is sent to the running staff by the control room.
If the person occupying the seat is extremely aggressive, under the influence of alcohol, threatening or misbehaving with women, then in such cases immediately seek the help of security forces.
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Intervention of Railway Protection Force (RPF): You can directly ask for ‘Security Assistance’ on 139.
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On-board team at the next station: Railway Control Room immediately sends information to the RPF/GRP escort party present at the next stoppage station of the train. As soon as the train stops, the police force comes into the bogie and takes the unruly or forcibly seated person into custody and ensures your safety.
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‘Meri Saheli’ Team: Railways’ special ‘Meri Saheli’ team is also active for women passengers, which takes special care of the safety of women coaches and women traveling alone.
Under Section 155 of the Indian Railways Act 1989, it is a punishable offense if a passenger forcibly enters a compartment or seat which is not reserved for him or obstructs the seat of another legitimate passenger. Such a person can be forcibly thrown out of the train, fine can be imposed and if necessary, he can also be sentenced to imprisonment.
So next time whenever someone occupies your seat, instead of taking law into your own hands or creating a dispute, take the help of these 4 official channels and make your journey safe and stress-free.