Hello Sir,

I had to travel from Ottapalam(OTP) to Chennai(MAS) on 24th Jun 2012 in Mangalore Mail (12602) Scheduled at 8 PM. I badly wanted to use the waiting room facility available and fully functional there at Ottapalam Station(OTP). At night around 7 30 PM, when its the peak time with station full of passengers and almost around 4-5 trains yet to come before 9 PM, the bathroom facility in waiting room was locked.

I politely asked the duty station master(who had charge on 24th Jun 2012 Night) there at OTP station to provide the keys so that after use, i would lock it myself and return to him. He asked my reservation ticket. I showed him the sms communication that IRCTC sends to the traveller while booking ticket and even showed Identity card. However he refused to look at it, saying " IT IS THE JOB OF TT TO LOOK AT ALL THESE MOBILE STUFFS", I CANNOT GIVE YOU THE KEY". I refused, asked him for a valid reason. He qouted " I WOULD REPORT, TELLING YOU ARE DISTURBING MY DUTY AND WOULD EVEN CANCEL MY JOURNEY".

Now on what grounds he was telling all these, i had no idea. I Paid the money for the ticket. I had a valid ticket(PNR 4********0). I had the rights to use the facility opened for public use. What rights he had to lock the waiting room at such a peak time and how come it doesn't become party of his duty to hand over the key of that room or get it opened by someone. He holds the key doesn't mean, he could play the card to his wish. I was highly disappointed with such a behavior.

I request you to look at this incident seriously and pass down a message to ensure that public facilities available in railways stations and that is functional is not closed or locked up until the last train has passed from the station. We consider it as our rights to avail such facility when it s present there at stations. Expecting a favorable action from your end.

Thanks and Regards
Mahesh SP