'No water in train toilets': Railways told to pay Rs 15,000 to passenger travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga

A family outing by train turned into an expensive detour for a man travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga with 23 relatives after they allegedly found no water in the train's toilets and received no response from the station master at Tumakuru. The family got off the train and bought tickets for another service, spending an additional Rs 1,760. The incident has now led to a consumer commission directing South Western Railway (SWR) officials to refund the original ticket fare of Rs 1,000 with interest and pay Rs 15,000 towards compensation and litigation expenses. According to a release issued by the information department, the Shivamogga District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission passed the order on October 23.

Train toilet water shortage forces family of 24 to get off at Tumakuru

Nagendra, a resident of PWD Quarters in Basavanagudi, Shivamogga, was travelling with 23 family members and relatives from Yesvantpur to Shivamogga on train No. 66575. The group had purchased general tickets worth Rs 1,000 for the journey.

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During the trip, the passengers found that there was no water in the train's toilets. They reportedly approached the station master at Tumakuru for assistance but received no response.

With the problem unresolved, the family decided to get off at Tumakuru and continue their journey on another train. They purchased fresh tickets, spending an additional Rs 1,760.

Passenger approaches consumer commission after railway officials fail to respond

After the incident, Nagendra sent a legal notice to the railway authorities. When he received no response, he filed a complaint before the Shivamogga District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

The complaint led to proceedings against the railway authorities over the inconvenience caused during the journey and the additional expenditure incurred by the family.

Consumer court orders Railways to refund ticket fare with interest

On October 23, a bench comprising commission president T Shivanna and member BD Yoganand Bhandya directed the station masters of South Western Railway in Bengaluru and at Tumakuru railway station to refund the original ticket fare of Rs 1,000.

The refund must carry 6% annual interest, calculated from April 15, 2025, and be paid within 45 days.

The commission also directed the railway authorities to pay:

• Rs 10,000 as compensation for the inconvenience caused.
• Rs 5,000 towards litigation expenses.
• Rs 1,000 as a refund of the original ticket fare, along with 6% annual interest.
• The compensation and litigation expenses must also be paid within 45 days.

What happens if Railways misses the 45-day deadline?

The commission has specified a higher interest rate if the railway authorities fail to comply with the order within the stipulated 45 days.

In that case, the amount payable will attract 10% annual interest until full payment is made, according to the information department's release.

The order provides relief to Nagendra after the family had to abandon its original train journey and pay extra to reach its destination following the reported lack of water in the toilets and the failure to obtain assistance at Tumakuru.