Bangalore Rajdhani Express

A few days back, I travelled by Nizamuddin-Bangalore Rajdhani Express from Bhopal to Bangalore, along with my wife and a little kid. I was expecting a memorable ride, since this was the first time I got a reservation in this train (2430) in two years that I started living in Bangalore. We reached the station well ahead of scheduled 04.50 AM departure at Bhopal station. The train was 15 minutes late on the platform. It was a big relief that the coaches were not wrapped in Airtel/ Max New York advertisements. The first experience started when the train halted and all the coaches were locked from inside. Including us, many were banging the doors. Finally, after some time of tension, some passenger from inside opened the door for us. We got into the AC 2Tier compartment only to find it worse than a dustbin. There were left over ice-cream cups, half-eaten dinner plates, paper envelopes and what not. We made our way to our berths (side lower and side upper). It was evident that somebody else slept there a few minutes back. I got to search for the attendant, woke him up and asked for a fresh set of blankets. After ensuring that he did not provide us with these already, he gave us two sets of white bed sheets. We were supposed to use the same blankets as the previous user. I asked for the water bottles. He told me promptly that the service staff is separate and I had to look for him at the other end of the coach. He was sleeping there; I woke him up and asked for the water, he pointed to a carton in a corner and asked me to help myself. I was wondering what would have happened if some burglers/ thieves entered the coach! It was bed-tea time at 6.30 AM. I asked for coffee and returned the tea bag sachet. After 10 minutes when he brought the hot water pot, after I repeated my request, the guy told me that coffee is not available. I asked at least give back the tea bag. He disappeared. Lucky my wife does not drink tea; I used her bag. 30 minutes later, he comes back with a coffee sachet - beat that! Breakfast was average, cost-cutting was evident in the lunch served and the coach was becoming more and more filthy even though a cleaning guy came every three-four hours to clean the coach.

The fellow passengers were no respite either. Morning 8 AM, somebody in the next bay decided to provide us with free entertainment and started playing some recorded TV programmes full blast. After three requests, he obliged me by reducing the volume 3 points. The gentleman in my bay decided to compete with this guy by starting to play music from his mobile. And the family in the bay on other side decided to entertain their little kid and every one else by playing Tom and Jerry on their laptop. I gave up on requesting for some silence and sat there with a hope that these people will get bored sooner or later.

After dinner, we decided to sleep after a tiring day in the train. Now, the pantry staff wakes me up and asks for 'chai paani' (tip). I told him he should not expect anything since the service was terrible. He comes back next morning with the same request. This time, even the attendant came for his rounds of 'chai paani'.

I left the train with mixed feelings - what is it that we paid a premium for? I love train journeys. This is by far the worst trip ever and it beats the nearest bad trip by miles. The train, the staff, the food, fellow passengers; it could not get worse than this. I will think twice before getting into this train again. Sampark-kranti express is way better than this train in all features. And you can buy the food you want, at a far lower price and in the company of better fellow passengers (hopefully).