The Indian Railways has once again found itself at the center of public attention — this time for all the wrong reasons. A passenger recently shared photos of a dirty Vande Bharat train coach, sparking outrage on social media and raising questions about cleanliness in India’s premium trains. The complaint went viral, prompting a quick response from Indian Railways, which promised immediate action.
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly happened, how the Railways reacted, and why this issue matters for India’s modern train network.
The Viral Post That Started It All
A Twitter user named Ashish Prakash posted photos from his journey on the Vande Bharat Express, one of India’s most prestigious semi-high-speed trains. In his post, he tagged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, RailMinIndia, and East Central Railway, complaining about poor maintenance and cleanliness inside the train.
The pictures showed dusty windows, dirty walls, and litter on the floor, which was unexpected for a premium train known for comfort and speed. His tweet read:
“@AshwiniVaishnaw @RailMinIndia @ECRlyHJP if this is the way you keep cleaning trains, days are not far when Vande Bharat is going to turn into a mess. Most people in India don’t follow civic sense.”
The post quickly went viral, with thousands of people commenting on the poor condition of the train and the larger issue of cleanliness in public transport.
Indian Railways’ Quick Response
To its credit, Indian Railways did not ignore the complaint. The official handle RailwaySeva, which manages passenger grievances, responded promptly. Their message read:
“We regret the experience you had. Please share your PNR number and mobile number via DM to enable us to take immediate action. You may also raise your concern directly on RailMadad WhatsApp Bot.”
The Railways also shared the link to the RailMadad WhatsApp Bot (7982139139) — a service where passengers can directly report cleanliness or service-related issues in real time.
This quick response was appreciated by many users, but it also sparked a wider debate: why do such issues still exist in premium trains like Vande Bharat despite government efforts to modernize India’s rail network?
Vande Bharat Express: A Symbol of Modern India
The Vande Bharat Express is seen as the face of India’s railway modernization — a fully air-conditioned, semi-high-speed train designed to offer world-class comfort and faster travel. Launched in 2019, it connects major cities across India and is often compared to international trains in terms of design and technology.
From automatic doors to onboard Wi-Fi and bio-vacuum toilets, Vande Bharat has been marketed as a luxurious, clean, and efficient travel option for Indian passengers. However, maintaining that standard consistently across multiple routes is proving to be a real challenge.
Cleanliness: The Ongoing Challenge
Cleanliness has always been one of the biggest challenges for Indian Railways. Even with modernization and new facilities, keeping thousands of trains clean every day is a huge task.
The Railways have introduced several initiatives over the years — including onboard housekeeping services (OBHS), bio-toilets, robotic cleaning, and mechanized washing systems at major depots. Yet, passenger feedback tells a different story.
In many cases, passengers still find littered floors, dirty toilets, and dusty surfaces, especially on long-distance routes. The problem is not always with the Railways alone — lack of civic sense among passengers also plays a major role.
Social Media: A New Tool for Accountability
Social media platforms like Twitter (X) have become powerful tools for accountability. Passengers now directly tag railway officials and ministers, ensuring that complaints get noticed instantly.
In this case, Indian Railways’ quick reaction showed that the system works when passengers raise issues responsibly. But at the same time, frequent reports of poor maintenance highlight the need for a more permanent solution rather than reactive responses.
Public Reaction: Mixed but Concerned
The viral post triggered thousands of comments online. Some users praised the Railways for responding quickly, while others criticized them for allowing such lapses in the first place. Many said that India’s trains look new only during inauguration but start deteriorating within months due to poor maintenance and passenger behavior.
A user commented, “It’s not just the Railways; even passengers throw waste anywhere. Cleanliness should be everyone’s responsibility.”
Another wrote, “Vande Bharat is India’s pride. If we can’t maintain it properly, it loses its value.”
The Bigger Picture: Cleanliness and Civic Sense
The incident reveals a deeper problem that goes beyond one train or one photo — it’s about public behavior and accountability. While the Railways are responsible for ensuring regular cleaning, passengers too must understand their duty to keep trains clean.
The government’s ‘Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat’ initiative has helped raise awareness, but changing everyday habits takes time. From avoiding littering to using dustbins and toilets properly, small actions by passengers can make a big difference in maintaining hygiene.
Efforts by Indian Railways to Improve Cleanliness
In recent years, the Railways have introduced several cleanliness initiatives:
- Onboard Housekeeping Services (OBHS): Cleaning staff on trains to maintain hygiene throughout the journey.
- RailMadad Helpline: A 24×7 platform (via app, website, and WhatsApp) for passengers to lodge complaints instantly.
- Bio-Toilets and Mechanized Cleaning: Modern toilets and automated cleaning systems at stations and depots.
- Awareness Campaigns: Posters, announcements, and Swachhata drives to promote cleanliness.
Despite these steps, the real challenge remains sustaining cleanliness daily, especially on busy routes with thousands of passengers.
Conclusion
The viral photos of the dirty Vande Bharat train remind us that modernization alone isn’t enough — maintenance and discipline must go hand in hand. Indian Railways has shown commitment by responding quickly and setting up mechanisms like RailMadad, but keeping trains spotless requires both system efficiency and public cooperation.
India’s railways are a source of pride, connecting millions every day. To truly make them world-class, every passenger and railway worker must play their part. After all, a clean train isn’t just about appearance — it’s about respect, responsibility, and national pride.
FAQs
What happened with the Vande Bharat train complaint?
A passenger named Ashish Prakash shared photos of a dirty Vande Bharat coach on social media, tagging the Railway Minister and others. The post went viral, sparking debate about cleanliness.
How did Indian Railways respond?
The official handle, RailwaySeva, quickly replied and asked for the passenger’s details to take immediate action. They also shared the RailMadad WhatsApp link for faster complaint redressal.
What is the RailMadad WhatsApp number?
Passengers can report issues via WhatsApp on +91 7982139139 by simply sending “hi” to start the chat.
Is Vande Bharat known for good cleanliness?
Yes, Vande Bharat is designed as a premium train with high cleanliness standards, but maintenance sometimes declines due to heavy use and passenger behavior.
What is Indian Railways doing to improve cleanliness?
The Railways are using onboard cleaning staff, bio-toilets, automated systems, and awareness drives to maintain hygiene standards across trains.
What can passengers do to help?
Passengers can avoid littering, use dustbins, and report any issues through the RailMadad app or WhatsApp service for quicker action.