Blow hot, blow cold: consumer forum asks Railways to compensate man for ineffective heating on train

Noting that the authorities were under an 8220;obligation to provide a comfortable journey for which they had received consideration8221;, the consumer forum ruled that ineffective heating was a 8220;deficiency in service8221; on their part.

The complaint states that in January this year, Agarwal 71 was travelling along with his wife from Hyderabad to New Delhi in an a/c coach in the Andhra Pradesh Express. The heating in the coach was ineffective and the low temperature in the compartment made the journey uncomfortable for most passengers, he said. 8220;All the passengers were shivering,8221; Agarwal stated in his complaint.

The authorities, however, contended that due to low occupancy, the coach was marginally cooler. They argued that the comfort range of the air-conditioning system varied from person to person and on that day, the temperature of the coach was 8220;within the comfort range8221;.

8220;There were other passengers in the coach and we maintained the temperature to suit everyone travelling therein,8221; they contended.

The forum, however, ruled that the complainant 8220;suffered physical discomfort during the long journey due to deficiency on part of the Railways, which did not provide services undertaken to be provided8221;.

It observed that Agarwal deserved to be compensated for the inconvenience suffered during his journey as well as for the 8220;mental agony and stress8221; suffered during the proceedings.