‘Hope the flush works’: Netizens troll railways official over Vande Bharat toilet manners

As the countdown begins for the launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on January 17, an unexpected controversy erupted on Tuesday—not over speed or comfort, but over toilets.

A remark by a senior official of Indian Railways triggered a fierce online debate on civic sense, maintenance, and accountability.

Ananth Rupanagudi, Chief Project Manager at the railways, urged prospective passengers to board the new premium service only if they had “learnt their toilet manners” and could respect public property.

“Please travel in it only if you have learnt your toilet manners, will obey the instructions given in the washrooms, and have respect for public property,” Rupanagudi wrote on X. The post quickly crossed 80,000 views, opening the floodgates to sharply divided reactions from passengers.

While some supported the official’s blunt tone, many turned the spotlight back on the system itself. One user suggested that Indian trains adopt airline-style informational videos demonstrating washroom etiquette, arguing that repetition—even if uncomfortable—might reduce violations.

Another questioned the practicality of educating passengers when basics like water supply, functioning flushes, and tissues are often missing even in AC coaches.

Several travellers shared personal experiences of poor upkeep on premium trains, including Shatabdi and existing Vande Bharat services, claiming that complaints frequently go unanswered.

Others flagged chronic issues such as unreserved passengers crowding AC coaches, faulty doors, and lack of on-ground staff—problems they say reflect administrative lapses rather than passenger behaviour alone.

The comments section also took a political and emotional turn. Some accused the official of “schooling the masses” instead of enforcing stricter policies and holding contractors accountable.

Others reacted angrily to what they perceived as condescension, with one remark even telling the official to “go to Pakistan” if he disliked Indians.

Responding to the backlash, Rupanagudi doubled down on his position. He acknowledged design flaws but stressed that civic sense among users remains a serious concern.

“Designs can be improved, but the civic sense of the users… Alas!” he wrote, adding that selectively circulated old videos do not reflect the full picture. According to him, vendors and contractors found violating norms are being “fined heavily.”

As India’s railways push premiumisation through services like the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, the episode highlights a deeper fault line: whether world-class trains can succeed without parallel improvements in maintenance, enforcement, and public behaviour—or whether passengers are being unfairly blamed for systemic failures.