General Coach Passengers Entitled To Same Safety Standards As First Class: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that Indian Railways owes equal safety standards to all passengers, whether travelling in general coaches or premium classes. The Court observed that while fare, amenities, and comfort may vary between classes, the duty of care regarding passenger safety cannot be discriminatory. The judgment arose from concerns that inadequate safety infrastructure and operational lapses disproportionately affect general-coach passengers. Reiterating the constitutional obligations of public transport providers, the bench emphasised that public undertakings cannot create stratified safety layers based on ticket category. The Court directed Railways to ensure uniform safety norms, improve systemic safeguards, and uphold passenger welfare irrespective of class.