Indian Railways Ordered to Compensate Passenger for Unhygienic Toilets
Indian Railways to pay Rs30,000 to Mohali resident for filthy toilets in AC coach
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Mohali has ordered Indian Railways to pay ₹30,000 (approximately $360 USD) to Surinder Kumar Munshi, a resident of New Chandigarh, for the unusable toilets in his AC coach during a journey on November 22, 2023. The commission found the Railways liable for failing to address sanitation complaints despite multiple reports.
- 01Indian Railways must pay ₹30,000 in compensation for inadequate sanitation.
- 02The commission ruled that basic sanitation is essential for passenger service.
- 03The complainant raised issues with the toilets at multiple train stations.
- 04Railways provided contradictory responses regarding cleaning services.
- 05The commission emphasized that outsourcing cleaning does not absolve Railways of responsibility.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Mohali has ordered Indian Railways to compensate Surinder Kumar Munshi ₹30,000 (approximately $360 USD) for the filthy condition of toilets in his AC-3 Tier coach during a journey on November 22, 2023. Munshi, a resident of New Chandigarh, found all toilets in Train No. 09098 (Jammu Tawi-Bandra Terminus Special) unusable and raised complaints with the traveling ticket examiner (TTE) at various stations, including Ambala, Mathura, Kota, and Ratlam, but received no assistance. The commission found that Indian Railways failed to provide basic sanitation facilities despite repeated complaints and contradictory responses regarding cleaning efforts. It ruled that sanitation is a fundamental part of the service provided to passengers, rejecting the Railways' argument that such facilities are offered on humanitarian grounds. The commission ordered the Railways to pay ₹30,000 for mental distress and litigation costs, along with a deposit of ₹15,000 in both the legal aid account of the commission and the Tricity Consumer Courts Bar Association within 30 days.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
This ruling emphasizes the importance of sanitation in public transport, potentially leading to improved hygiene standards in Indian Railways.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think Indian Railways should improve sanitation facilities?
Connecting to poll...
More about Indian Railways

Indian Railways Fined ₹60,000 for Neglecting Toilet Facilities for Senior Passenger
The Indian Express • Apr 25, 2026

New Direct Vande Bharat Train Service to Connect Jammu and Srinagar Starting April 30
News 18 • Apr 24, 2026

MP Bajrang Sonawane Pushes for Parli-Beed-Ahilyanagar-Pune Railway Line Completion by August 15
News 18 • Apr 24, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.



