Vande Bharat Sleeper Launch Overshadowed by Viral Litter Video
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service from Malda in West Bengal on Saturday. This launch marked a significant moment for Indian Railways. The event generated considerable excitement among passengers and officials alike.
Premium Train Faces Immediate Controversy
However, the celebratory atmosphere quickly soured. A video surfaced on social media showing discarded waste scattered on the floor of one of the newly inaugurated coaches. The footage appears to have been recorded on the train's very first day of operation.
The clip shows empty paper cups and used spoons lying carelessly on the floor. The person filming the video pans the camera across the mess. He then poses a pointed question to viewers.
"Look at this. Is it the fault of the Railways? The government? Or is it our own fault?" he asks in Hindi. He concludes by remarking, "Civic sense dekh lo aap," highlighting a perceived lack of public responsibility.
Online Outrage Ignites Widespread Discussion
The video spread rapidly across platforms like Reddit and X. It ignited a fierce debate about civic behavior on India's premium transport services.
Many users expressed deep frustration. One comment on Reddit read, "People can pay INR 2000 to 10000 for a seat and can still remain padhe likhe gawar." This suggests that higher ticket prices do not automatically guarantee better manners from passengers.
Another user directly challenged earlier assumptions. "Where are those people who told me 2–3 days ago that the people who will pay more will have more civic sense? Got your answer?" the comment questioned.
The sentiment of disappointment was palpable. "Man, we seriously don't deserve good things," wrote one disillusioned user. Others proposed strict solutions, including issuing fines to offenders and blocking future bookings.
Railways Official's Warning Gains New Relevance
The incident gained extra attention due to a pre-launch appeal from a senior railway official. Ananth Rupanagudi, Chief Project Manager of Indian Railways, had posted a message on X just days before the launch.
He had urged future passengers to maintain discipline. "Please travel in it only if you have learnt your toilet manners, will obey the instructions given in the washrooms, and have respect for public property. Thanks!" he wrote.
Following the viral video, many social media users highlighted this warning. They noted that official appeals alone may not be sufficient to change ingrained public behavior.
A Flagship Service Under Scrutiny
The Vande Bharat Sleeper represents a major upgrade for long-distance rail travel in India. Officials project it as a leap forward in comfort and speed.
The train operates on the Howrah–Kamakhya corridor, connecting Howrah near Kolkata to Kamakhya Junction in Guwahati. It is reportedly the fastest train on this route.
Key features of the service include:
- 16 modern coaches with a total capacity of 823 passengers.
- Designed to operate at speeds up to 180 kmph.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art amenities for a superior travel experience.
- Aims to significantly reduce travel time between eastern and northeastern cities.
As the Vande Bharat Sleeper prepares for regular operations, this incident has reignited a critical debate. It questions whether infrastructure upgrades are enough on their own. The discussion now focuses on whether public behavior needs equal attention for such premium projects to truly succeed.
