Indian Railways WhatsApp Helpline Number Receives More Forwards and Friendship Day Messages Than Complaints
The number of forwards received have exceeded the actual complaints, defeating the purpose of introducing the number. In a week, there were 25 complaints about the lack of cleanliness on Central and Western Railway stations.
WhatsApp Helpline numbers by various organisations and departments are aimed to ease out the problems. It makes easier to register your concerns and complaints through your smartphone. But the Railways have more forwards and complimentary messages coming on their helpline number. In a week of introducing helpline numbers on WhatsApp, the officials have got more Friendship Day wishes and message forwards. Well, can't blame us, remember Google even said our Good Morning messages are eating up smartphone space!
The number of forwards received have exceeded the actual complaints, defeating the purpose of introducing the number. In a week, there were 25 complaints about the lack of cleanliness on Central and Western Railway stations. The number for Western Railway commuters is 90044 99773 and Central Railway is 9987645307. These numbers were launched on July 31 to register complains about cleanliness at stations, pay and use toilets etc. An official from the railways told Indian Express, "We have received text 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." Maharashtra Cyber Cell Releases WhatsApp Helpline Numbers to Stop Lynching and Spreading of Fake Messages.
At other times, the complaints go to the station master's office, who then writes them down in the complaint book. The helpline eases out the process as the complaints are directly registered and can be taken an action on. There is a dedicated staff to address these complaints. The station masters, inspectors and officers keep a tab on the status of these complaints.
Regarding the many forwards' messages and wishes, a senior official was quoted, "We have asked the staff to delete these messages, which we receive daily. The most repeated messages include ‘sending a particular forward message to 15 people to ensure good luck in one’s life’. These messages are a nuisance and waste of our time." Among the complaints that have been received, 23 of them were for the Western Railway and two from Central. People can click pictures of the dirty areas and upload them along with the location. Along with these helpline numbers, the Railways is also active on Twitter to address the complaints.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2018 01:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).