Just days before the launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, a senior Indian Railways official posted a message that quickly caught the internet’s attention. Instead of talking about speed, comfort, or new features, he spoke about something far more basic: how passengers use and treat public spaces on trains. What followed was a lively online discussion on hygiene, civic sense, and responsibility while travelling by rail.
Railways Official’s Message Ahead Of Vande Bharat Sleeper Launch Goes Viral
Ananth Rupanagudi, Chief Project Manager at Indian Railways, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a message that was direct and hard to ignore. He wrote, “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.” And within minutes, the post began travelling far faster than any train. It went viral and sparked conversations across social media.
Vande Bharat trains are seen as a symbol of modern India. So when a top railway official openly questioned whether passengers were ready to use such trains responsibly, it hit home. Many users felt he was saying what officials usually avoid saying out loud.
Are dirty train toilets caused by bad infrastructure, or bad passenger behaviour? The tweet quickly spread across social media, gaining thousands of views and comments. People didn’t just read it, they reacted strongly to it.
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Netizens Debate Passenger Behaviour Vs Infrastructure
One user pointed out that toilets often don’t have enough water, working flush systems, or even tissues, sometimes even in 2AC and 3AC coaches. They felt it was unfair to blame passengers when basic facilities are missing, and maintenance is inconsistent. Ananth responded calmly but firmly. According to him, especially on premier trains, infrastructure is rarely the main issue. He explained that in many cases, passengers simply don’t flush or don’t even bother to check if the flush is working.
Another user took a different angle and criticised the design of train toilets: “The toilet is already horrible in the trains. It is extremely difficult to get in and out. Fix that stupid design first. If you want to minimise space and provide a pigeonhole, let the door be a sliding one and not swing inside!” Ananth agreed that design improvements are always possible. But once again, he brought the focus back to behaviour, saying, “Designs can be improved, but the civic sense of the users… Alas!”
As the discussion grew, many users came out in strong support of Ananth’s message. One commenter said that while the railways must be held accountable, passengers cannot escape their own responsibilities. Another user went further, saying that real civic sense in India will only come when there are strict punishments for damaging public property. One user jokingly commented that Ananth’s request would fall under “very high expectations.”
In the end, Ananth Rupanagudi’s post started a real conversation. Are we ready for world-class trains, if we’re not ready to behave in a world-class way?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Ministry of Railways and X/Ananth Rupanagudi