Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Indian Railways’ first Vande Bharat sleeper train attracted widespread attention for its modern features and promise of faster overnight travel. However, Indian tourists were quick to prove a lack of civic sense, as a video showing litter on the newly inaugurated train emerged. The high-tech Vande Bharat Sleeper, connecting Howrah and Guwahati, was flagged off on Saturday. A passenger-recorded video from Malda shows plastic packets and spoons scattered across one of the coaches.Sharing the video, X handle @Indianinfoguide wrote, “People litter on vande bharat Sleeper train within hours of its inaugural run. Just see the civic sense.”Several social media users criticised the commuters for their behaviour. One commented, “honestly, this was an expected behaviour from the citizens of India.”
Another added, “India doesn’t need enemies. We sabotage ourselves just fine. From breaking rules to trashing infrastructure, from apathy to entitlement, we do more damage internally than any external force could. The real national security threat isn’t always at the border. It’s our collective indifference to the country we live in.” Some users were more casual, with one writing, “Expected !! What’s new here…Wait for orange gutka stamps.”According to the Ministry of Railways, the first commercial run of the Vande Bharat Sleeper between Kamakhya and Howrah saw all tickets sell out within hours of bookings opening.The train’s launch followed the flagging off of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Malda town in West Bengal on January 17. The service aims to make long-distance overnight travel faster and more comfortable while improving connectivity between eastern India and the Northeast.The semi-high-speed, fully air-conditioned train will operate six days a week, except Wednesdays from Kamakhya and Thursdays from Howrah. It will complete the Howrah–Kamakhya journey in about 14 hours, making it the fastest train on the route. Key stops include Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri, New Cooch Behar, and New Alipurduar.The service is expected to significantly benefit passengers travelling between West Bengal and Assam, particularly those undertaking overnight journeys.
