Vande Bharat train littered within hours of launch, sparks civic sense outrage
The newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, India’s first premium fully air-conditioned sleeper version of the high-speed train, has already faced criticism just hours into its inaugural operations due to widespread littering reported by passengers.
The train, connecting Howrah in West Bengal to Guwahati (Kamakhya) in Assam, was flagged off on January 17, 2026, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Malda Town station in West Bengal. It promises modern amenities, including spacious berths, onboard meals with regional options, high-speed travel covering approximately 972 km in around 14 hours, and an “airline-like” experience at competitive fares. The service aims to upgrade long-distance overnight rail travel in the region.
However, excitement over the launch quickly turned to disappointment when a passenger-recorded video went viral on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. The footage, captured near Malda during the train’s first run, shows plastic food packets, disposable spoons, empty cups, wrappers, and other waste scattered across the floor of a coach. Despite the availability of dustbins, the litter was left strewn about, prompting sharp reactions from netizens.
Social media users expressed outrage over the apparent lack of civic sense, with many pointing out the irony: passengers demand world-class infrastructure but fail to respect it. Comments flooded in calling the behavior “pathetic” and “third-class,” with some sarcastically noting that “orange gutkha stamps” might soon appear on the pristine interiors. Others suggested practical solutions, such as introducing littering fines or challans in reserved coaches, mandatory civic education from school level, or even stricter enforcement akin to practices in countries like Japan.
The incident has reignited a broader debate about public responsibility in India’s modernizing transport sector. Similar complaints of littering and misuse have surfaced on earlier Vande Bharat services, highlighting a recurring challenge—advanced technology and premium facilities often clash with inconsistent passenger habits and hygiene awareness.
Critics argue that blame lies primarily with commuters rather than the Railways or the government, as dustbins and cleaning protocols are in place. The viral clip has amplified calls for shared accountability to preserve these high-tech trains, ensuring they remain clean, comfortable, and a source of national pride rather than disappointment.
As the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express prepares for its first full commercial run starting January 22 or 23, 2026 (depending on schedules), this early episode serves as a reminder that infrastructure progress must be matched by collective civic discipline for long-term success.
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