Within hours of the Howrah–Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper Express beginning its journey on Saturday, plastic packets and food remnants were found scattered inside the train compartments. A passenger recorded the situation and shared the video on social media. As the clip went viral, it triggered widespread criticism from netizens.
The incident has also drawn the attention of the railway authorities. A railway official stated that railways are public property and it is the responsibility of every citizen to keep them clean. He added that cleaning staff and housekeeping personnel are always present on Vande Bharat trains and that any such unhygienic conditions, when noticed, are addressed promptly.
Netizens demand civic sense lessons
The video prompted sharp reactions online. One user commented, "Without civic awareness, it is impossible to maintain services like Vande Bharat or luxury airports." A section of netizens demanded that lessons on etiquette and civic sense, similar to those taught in Japan, should be made mandatory in schools from an early age.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Express
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will operate between Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati). Compared to earlier Vande Bharat trains, it has been designed to be more comfortable and luxurious for long-distance travel. The country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is scheduled to begin carrying passengers from this month.
