Viral pictures exposes poor civic sense on luxury train

Despite the introduction of world-class infrastructure, the civic sense of passengers remains a major concern for Indian Railways. Just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the inaugural Howrah-Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper express, the premium train was left in a sorry state. A video circulating on social media showed the shiny new coaches littered with plastic wrappers, empty packets, and discarded spoons, sparking a massive debate on public etiquette.

The incident occurred even before the train began its regular commercial services, which are scheduled to start on January 22. The footage, shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter), revealed that passengers on the ceremonial run had turned the floor into a dumping ground. This behavior comes despite earlier warnings from railway officials. Before the launch, senior officer Ananth Rupanagudi had urged the public to use the train only if they possessed "toilet manners" and respect for public property. Unfortunately, those warnings seemingly fell on deaf ears.

Critics often argue that cleanliness is linked to affordability, suggesting that cheaper travel leads to poor hygiene. However, the Vande Bharat Sleeper commands a premium fare. A ticket in this semi-high-speed train costs significantly more than a standard 3AC ticket on the Saraighat Express for the same route. This price difference proves that the issue is not about economic class but rather a behavioral mindset. While passengers often maintain discipline on flights or metro systems, the casual attitude towards treating Indian Railways property as a "dustbin" persists.

Netizens reacted sharply to the visual proof of the mess. Many pointed out that world-class facilities require world-class users to maintain them. The general sentiment suggests that unless citizens treat public property with the same respect as their private homes, even the most expensive upgrades will fail to keep the trains clean. The Indian Railways has since taken note of the incident, reiterating that maintaining cleanliness is a shared responsibility between the administration and the public.