Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Littered Within Hours of Inauguration; Viral Video Sparks Outcry
The high-tech Vande Bharat Sleeper train, connecting Howrah and Guwahati, was flagged off with much fanfare on Saturday. This new addition to Indian Railways promised a premium travel experience. However, within just hours of its inaugural run, a viral video exposed a disappointing reality. The video showed plastic packets and spoons strewn across the floor of a coach, tarnishing the train's sparkling image.
Viral Video Captures Litter on New Train
A passenger recorded the video from Malda, capturing the mess left behind by commuters. The clip quickly spread on social media platform X, shared by the handle @Indianinfoguide. The caption read, "People litter on Vande Bharat Sleeper train within hours of its inaugural run. Just see the civic sense." The video has since gone viral, drawing sharp criticism from netizens across the country.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism and Suggestions
Users on X did not hold back in expressing their dismay. One user commented, "Without civic sense, even world-class infra like Vande Bharat, luxury airports, or wide roads becomes hard to maintain. Civic sense is basically common sense in public spaces — and it should be mandatory in primary education from this generation onwards, or the problem will pass down forever."
Another user suggested, "The government should soon pass a law to introduce civic sense classes starting from LKG, just like in Japan and other European countries." A third user remarked, "India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper looks world class… until passengers treat it like a roadside dustbin within hours of launch. Civic sense isn't optional, it's what separates premium travel from another dirty coach."
Perhaps the most biting comment came from a fourth user who wrote, "Wait for orange gutkha stamps," referencing the stubborn stains often left by gutkha chewers on public property. This comment has gained significant traction online, highlighting a recurring issue in Indian public spaces.
Not the First Time for Vande Bharat Trains
This incident is not an isolated one. Back in 2023, a photo surfaced showing garbage, including plastic bottles and food wrappers, on the floor of a Vande Bharat Express coach. That photo also captured a railway staff member holding a broom, ready to clean up the mess. Sharing the image on X, an IAS officer, Awanish Sharan, had simply written, "We The People," pointing a finger at public behavior.
A Contrast in Civic Responsibility
In stark contrast to this littering incident, a recent video of the Thalassery railway station in Kerala won hearts on social media. Shared by a content creator, the video showed shining platform floors with no garbage in sight. This example demonstrates that cleanliness in public spaces is achievable with collective civic sense and responsibility.
The viral video of the littered Vande Bharat Sleeper coach has sparked a crucial conversation about civic sense in India. It raises important questions about how citizens treat public property and what measures can be taken to foster better habits. While the government invests in world-class infrastructure, the public's role in maintaining it remains paramount.
