<p> A Shiv Sena MLA and his supporters “held up” an express train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus here for almost an hour seeking a berth of his choice.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He later justified his act saying it was meant to expose “unprofessional approach of railway officials” towards the grievances of passengers.<br /><br />The incident occurred on Wednesday night when Hemant Patil, a legislator from Nanded, did not allow 9:10 pm Devgiri Express to depart till 10 pm by repeatedly pulling the chain after he got upset over being alloted a “side” berth in a second AC coach.<br /><br />Apart from inconveniencing nearly 2,000 passengers of the train, the incident affected schedule of at least two long-distance trains.<br /><br />Though the MLA stuck to his demand that he be given a berth of his choice, the railway officials refused to oblige.<br /><br />According to a senior railway officer, this act of Patil is a serious offence under the Railway Act.<br /><br />Giving a new twist to the controversy, Patil said MLAs like him were allotted side berths whereas other passengers were allotted the lower berths which they “secured by buying tickets from a racket of agents”.<br /><br />The MLA said what he did was not in his personal interest.<br /><br />“The fight was not for my personal interest or (out of) any vengeance. I raked up this issue to bring to fore the lackadaisical and unprofessional approach of senior railway officers. I have got many complimentary messages on my phone appreciating my efforts,” he said.</p>
<p> A Shiv Sena MLA and his supporters “held up” an express train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus here for almost an hour seeking a berth of his choice.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He later justified his act saying it was meant to expose “unprofessional approach of railway officials” towards the grievances of passengers.<br /><br />The incident occurred on Wednesday night when Hemant Patil, a legislator from Nanded, did not allow 9:10 pm Devgiri Express to depart till 10 pm by repeatedly pulling the chain after he got upset over being alloted a “side” berth in a second AC coach.<br /><br />Apart from inconveniencing nearly 2,000 passengers of the train, the incident affected schedule of at least two long-distance trains.<br /><br />Though the MLA stuck to his demand that he be given a berth of his choice, the railway officials refused to oblige.<br /><br />According to a senior railway officer, this act of Patil is a serious offence under the Railway Act.<br /><br />Giving a new twist to the controversy, Patil said MLAs like him were allotted side berths whereas other passengers were allotted the lower berths which they “secured by buying tickets from a racket of agents”.<br /><br />The MLA said what he did was not in his personal interest.<br /><br />“The fight was not for my personal interest or (out of) any vengeance. I raked up this issue to bring to fore the lackadaisical and unprofessional approach of senior railway officers. I have got many complimentary messages on my phone appreciating my efforts,” he said.</p>