Having a chat with co-passengers, making new friends, tasting the local delicacies of each and every city the train stops by and so on, the perks of traveling through Indian railways are countless. But from dulcet tones of chaiwalas to smell of the toilet; your journey on Indian trains can be as annoying as it is beautiful!
Adding to this list, the Indian Railways plan to make your travel a lot more exciting. They will soon introduce foot and head massage service at Rs 100 each to comfort the commuters, reports NDTV.
“This is the first time that such a contract has been signed,” said Rajesh Bajpai, director, media and communication, railway board.
The incredible service of massage on wheels will be made available on 39 trains departing from Indore in the beginning.
“It will not only increase revenue but also add passengers. Railways to earn an additional revenue of ₹20 lakh annually and an estimated increase of ₹90 lakh per year through the additional sale of tickets from about 20,000 passengers who will be the service providers,” a railway official said.
But, people aren’t really happy to hear the good news about champi-loaded train travel! They feel there are many other issues much more important than offering champi service that needs to be checked.
For example:
1. Toilet Cleaning
2. Upgrading infrastructure
3. Improving health and safety
And so, here’s what people have to say about Indian railways’ effort to comfort passengers and draw revenue by introducing the brand new champi service:
Hope they don't massage the pockets too while doing head and foot massage
— zorba (@khannaa) June 8, 2019
Railway ministry is not concentrating for the safe and efficient travel. Stupid idea.
— sivakumar (@msiva1957) June 8, 2019
@indianrailway__ @PiyushGoyalOffc @PiyushGoyal @RailwaySeva Kindly focus on toilet cleaning.
Massage is not a necessary issue but toilet is during Journey.— Amarendra yadav (@iamAmar264) June 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/advaitrao1/status/1137287872871063553
One would be happy with clean toilets (more cleaning services ) .. clean compartments .. and trains running on time ..
— Nandita Sen (@nandita_sen) June 8, 2019
Not sure who came up with this stupid idea of massage service on train, at this trend soon spa, bar, dance may be introduced. Let railways focus on providing safe, reliable, fast transport instead of such pathetic, stupid, third rated ideas!
— Core Socio (@CoreSocio) June 8, 2019
This initiative is actually a part of railways’ scheme whereby zones and divisions are ordered to brainstorm and come up with innovative ideas to raise non-fare revenue. And, the champi one came from Ratlam division of Madhya Pradesh, reports NDTV.
Though it’s a creative move, the question remains, is it really necessary? Maybe the railways should add another clause of suggesting ideas that are not only innovative but also ‘useful’ to its above-mentioned scheme.
How about introducing nanny services to babysit kids who wreak havoc on commuter’s sleep by crying the entire journey? Do you have any such ideas? Do tell us!