‘Toilet manners’ warning rings true; day-after-launch video shows trash on Vande Bharat sleeper
Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper from Malda in West Bengal on Saturday. The state-of-the-art service, which links Howrah near Kolkata to Kamakhya Junction in Guwahati, is the fastest train on the route and reportedly outpaces all existing services along the corridor.
But a video showing discarded waste on the floor of the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Sleeper train has sparked widespread outrage on social media.
🚨People litter on vande bharat Sleeper train within hours of its inaugural run.
Just see the civic sense pic.twitter.com/cCcvbJJWoL— Indian Infra Report (@Indianinfoguide) January 18, 2026
Despite its modern facilities, footage circulating online shows empty cups, used spoons, and other litter scattered across the train floor. The video is believed to have been filmed on the train’s inaugural day.
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The person recording the clip questioned passengers’ civic sense, asking: “Is it the fault of the Railways or the government, or is it our fault?” They added, “Look at the civic sense here.”
The video has ignited a wider debate about civic responsibility in India. On social media, users criticised those travelling on the train despite paying premium fares:
“People can pay 2,000 to 10,000 rupees for a seat and still remain padhe likhe gawar,” wrote one Reddit user.
Another commented: “Where are those people who said paying more ensures better civic sense? Got your answer.”
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Others suggested stricter measures, such as fines and banning offenders from future bookings.
Railway officials had previously urged passengers to maintain cleanliness on the service. Chief Project Manager Ananth Rupanagudi posted on X, “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. Thanks!”
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According to PTI, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is not yet open for general booking, though the Railway Ministry said efforts are underway to make it available to the public. A date for when the train will begin commercial operations has not been announced.