Imagine boarding a train that symbolizes modern transport, only to encounter a filthy environment. This is exactly what happened to a passenger journeying on the Vande Bharat Express, who took to the social media platform X to express their discontent. The user, known as Ashish Prakash, voiced a strong concern regarding the unsatisfactory cleanliness of the semi-high-speed train, directly questioning the civil responsibility of passengers in India. In a strikingly blunt statement, he remarked, "If this is how you maintain cleanliness, it won't be long before Vande Bharat turns into a dismal state. This reflects a lack of civic sense among many in India," tagging the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in his outburst.
This post quickly gained traction, going viral and prompting an official reaction from Indian Railways. In response, they requested Ashish to provide his PNR number and mobile contact for further investigation into the matter. They expressed regret over his experience, stating, "We apologize for your dissatisfaction. Please send us your PNR number and mobile number via direct message so we can take swift action. Alternatively, you can express your concerns directly through our RailMadad WhatsApp Bot."
The distressing photo shared by Ashish revealed a portion of the train coach, particularly the area between two seats, which appeared notably dirty with visible scraps of litter and stains marking the space near the metal bar situated beneath the seats.
In a comparable instance from the previous month, another traveler shared similar grievances regarding the Vande Bharat Express's condition, describing it as having "dirty tables, soiled seats, and inaccessible toilets." This passenger went as far as to post visuals showing grimy tables, deficient hand dryers, exposed wiring, and unsightly seat stains, expressing disbelief that a train less than two years old could be in such a neglected state. They remarked, "Today's 20664 Vande Bharat is not the usual set; it's in a deplorable condition. The backs of the seats are filthy, tables are unclean, and the accessible toilet is anything but accessible. What has happened to the standard Orange rake that we are accustomed to, and why is our flagship train in such poor condition?"
In light of this particular complaint, Indian Railways responded by clarifying that the regular Rake No. 59 was undergoing maintenance and had been substituted temporarily with Spare Rake No. 29. They assured the public that inspections were carried out, including interior cleaning and attention to seat recliners, while promising that remaining issues would be resolved that very night.
But here's where it gets controversial: what does this say about the overall management and maintenance of our public transport systems? Is it realistic to expect pristine conditions when the trains are frequently in rotation for maintenance? Or does this highlight a deeper issue of responsibility at both the passenger and operational levels? We invite you to share your thoughts on this. Have you experienced similar issues, or do you believe the cleanliness of trains is a shared responsibility among passengers? Let us know in the comments!
