Min assures stringent action over students’ ticket ‘fiasco’

Bhubaneswar: School and mass education minister Nityananda Gond on Tuesday assured stringent action against those responsible for the ticket fiasco which forced several students, who participated in the National School Games in Uttar Pradesh, sit near toilets in the train during their return journey.

Gond told the media that the matter came to his notice and the govt would conduct a detailed probe. “Whoever is found guilty of not providing confirmed train tickets to the young athletes will have to face stringent action,” he said.


Eighteen students from different schools, selected to take part in the 69th National School Games 2025-26 in Uttar Pradesh, travelled to Balia on the Nandankanan Express from Bhubaneswar on Dec 6. On their return journey, they boarded the Nandankanan Express on Dec 13. They were accompanied by two teachers and two coaches.

On their way to UP, only four tickets were confirmed, while on the return journey, no tickets were confirmed. Many of the students slept on the train floor on their journey to UP. The young athletes had to sit near the toilets throughout their return journey until Hinjili. From Hinjili, they were adjusted on 10 seats by a TTE.

The accompanying teachers said they approached UP transport minister Daya Shankar Singh, who attended the sports meet as chief guest, for confirmed return tickets, and he assured he would do the needful. “However, the tickets were not confirmed. Since the IndiGo crisis was going on then, the train was full, and we had to sit near toilets,” said a teacher, requesting anonymity.

The department on Tuesday issued a clarification and informed that it has sought a detailed report from the director of secondary education.

It stated that tickets for 18 young wrestlers and 4 teachers were booked in 3-tier AC coach on Nov 20 to travel to Balia and back. However, despite sincere efforts by the department, tickets could not be confirmed. In order to ensure that the young wrestlers were not deprived of participating in the national-level championship and to provide them an opportunity to showcase their talent, they were taken to Balia, the department said. To prevent such incidents in the future, the department has decided to hold a coordination meeting with railway authorities.

Congress leaders criticised the state govt for alleged mismanagement. Expressing shock over students being made to travel in pathetic conditions, state Congress chief Bhakta Das urged chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi to take up the matter immediately with the sports ministry.

BJD wrote on its X handle, “By insulting the players who bring pride to the state, the BJP govt has revealed its true face.”




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