A Woman Tweeted About Unfair Rates of Water on Train. DRM Himself Boarded the Train to Help Out!

Those who frequently travel by rail in India are probably aware that mineral water bottles on moving trains are sold at a higher price than what is shown on the label. Swati Kumari, a passenger in the first class AC coach of Azimabad Express, made it a point to inform the Ministry of Railways about this frustrating reality.

Somewhere around Kanpur, while travelling from Agra to Patna, Swati needed water and decided to purchase a bottle.

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But the Rail Neer mineral water bottle, which is marked for sale at Rs. 15, was being sold for Rs. 20 in her coach. Refusing to pay extra, she tweeted about the issue to the Ministry, which took note and asked for her journey details.

@sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia What’s the point in selling water bottle at Rs. 20 when the MRP marked is Rs. 15
No drinking water
Trn12947, A1

— Swati Kumari (@swatz14) February 25, 2016

@swatz14 @sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia To initiate action kindly share your journey details….PNR

— RB EDTNC (@IR_EDTNC) February 25, 2016

However, no one was really expecting what happened next. When the train stopped at Allahabad, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) himself boarded the train along with his team, talked to the passenger, and ensured that she could purchase a bottle for Rs. 15.

@swatz14 @sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia Issue is being taken up with @gmncr1 @drmncrald

— RB EDTNC (@IR_EDTNC) February 25, 2016

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@IR_EDTNC @swatz14 @sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia @GMNCR1 share your contact no. and PNR no .

— V.K.TRIPATHI (@drmncrald) February 25, 2016

Additionally, the Allahabad railway division has also started investigating vendors who charge extra for selling water on trains.

@drmncrald @IR_EDTNC @sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia @GMNCR1 issue resolved.. Thanks a lot 🙂

— Swati Kumari (@swatz14) February 25, 2016

Featured image credit: Axel Drainville/Flickr

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