Railway minister’s Vande Bharat speed test post earns social media wrath

In the early hours of Friday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video on his X (formerly Twitter) handle showcasing the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express speed test at an impressive 180 kmph. While the train is being promoted for its improved amenities and faster travel, social media users were quick to point out several shortcomings, questioning the claims and expressing frustration.

Delays and Reliability Concerns

One user voiced their frustration about the Vande Bharat’s punctuality, commenting, “But Vande Bharat don’t reach on time, my 3 travels all late.” The remark highlighted the ongoing issue of train delays, which many felt overshadowed the speed test claims.

Cleanliness Issues

Another user raised concerns about the cleanliness of the Vande Bharat trains, particularly in light of the potential for paan stains. The comment read, “We need to save the Vande Bharat sleeper train from pan masala stains. The government earns ₹12,000 crore in revenue from gutka but loses it all on cleaning.”

Comparisons with Older Trains

Several users pointed out that the Vande Bharat’s speed might not be as groundbreaking as suggested. One user shared an article titled, “First Vande Bharat sleeper train set for January launch, but speed unlikely to meet expectation,” and remarked, “I do not understand what is special about Vande Bharat if it cannot even run at 130 kmph. Rajdhani Express was launched in 1969 and has been running at 130 kmph for the last 54 years.”

Regional Bias Concerns

The infamous north-south divide came to the forefront, with one user commenting, “Why will all new trains first start in North India only? Is South India inferior to you guys?” This comment reflected frustration over the lack of Vande Bharat trains in southern India, despite the launch of new services in northern regions.

Other Railway Issues

Some users expressed concern over the broader state of Indian Railways, asking why the focus was solely on Vande Bharat. “Vande Bharat ko chhod k dusri traino ka bhi haal bata diya karo,” one user quipped, translating to, “What about the other trains?”

Punctuality and Practicality

Questions also arose about the practical benefits of the Vande Bharat, with one user asking, “Check the speed of Vande Bharat and Shatabdi on this route. If the train can run at 180, why does it run at 80?” The comment highlighted a perceived gap between the promised speed and actual performance.

Broader Concerns with Railway Services

One user, underlining broader concerns, wrote, “Sir, seems like u r nt d Rly minister bt Vande Bharat minister. Other issues also need priority... Tatkal ticketing mafia, overcrowding in reserved trains, helpline quality, etc.” This reflected frustration over the minister’s focus on one project while other pressing issues remained unresolved.

Criticism of Expensive Vande Bharat Trains

Others criticized the high cost of the Vande Bharat trains, suggesting that the central government should focus on improving the infrastructure of local trains, particularly in states like West Bengal, which they felt needed better trains similar to those in Japan or Europe.

Marketing or Practical Change?

Some users felt the Vande Bharat was more of a marketing tactic than a significant improvement in railway services. One user commented, “Vande Bharat was just a marketing tactic with no major change on ground, as it was to be used to get middle class nationalistic types to become stooges of Modi.”

Unmet Expectations in Railways

A particularly critical user, who identified as a “Modi bhakt,” said, “I think present railway minister is worst minister in modiji’s cabinet... Overcrowded trains, punctuality is worst, no cleanliness in express trains bathrooms, contractor giving substandard food as before, no check on them... Aisa lagta hai congress raj me hi hai.”