IRCTC WhatsApp Helpline Gets More ‘Good Morning’ Wishes Than Complaints

Aug. 7, 2018

In addition to partnering with MakeMyTrip to provide livestatus updatesof trains through WhatsApp, the Indian Railways also introduced WhatsApp helpline numbers that would allow citizens to submit their grievances regarding cleanliness on railway stations. But it appears that rather than receiving complaints about the unhygienic conditions at some station premises, theWhatsApp helpline numbersare receiving more forwarded messages and friendship day wishes than actual complaints.

Officials have revealed that they have received more forwards on the WhatsApp helpline numbers than original complaints, and on Sunday, they were overwhelmed with friendship day wishes.

“We have receivedtext messages wishing us good morning, good evening and rest. Messages of deities with devotional messages have been forwarded and we have also received amusing Hindi poems”, an Indian Railways official was quoted as saying by theIndian Express. As per the official, the helpline numbers have recorded just 25 complaints regarding filthy conditions on station premises on Central (CR) and Western Railways (WR) in a span of one week.

The goal was to avoid confusion in the complaint registration process at designated grievance portals and make it more convenient for travelers. But it now appears that the railways officials are on a different kind of cleanliness drive, and your wishes are just not helping the cause.