We don’t deserve good things? Litter found in inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper - who should take the blame?

After days of waiting and announcement of launch, the Vande Bharat Sleeper was finally flagged off amid much fanfare. However, amid all these, a video showing discarded waste scattered on the floor of the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Sleeper has triggered widespread outrage and debate on social media. The footage surfaced shortly after Narendra Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper service from Malda in West Bengal on Saturday.

Projected as a major leap forward in long-distance rail travel, the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat comes equipped w ith all amenities to offer a new travel experience for passengers.




The state-of-the-art sleeper train operates on the Howrah–Kamakhya corridor, connecting Howrah near Kolkata to Kamakhya Junction in Guwahati. Officials have described it as the fastest train on this route, adding that it is quicker than any existing service serving the corridor.

Despite being introduced as a premium long-distance service with modern facilities, the viral video shows empty paper cups and used spoons lying on the floor of one of the coaches. The footage is believed to have been recorded on the train’s inaugural day, and was shared by r/indianrailways on Reddit. Watch the video here.

“Is this the fault of Railways or our own?”

In the video, the person filming pans the camera across the littered floor and questions who should be held responsible. “Ye dekh lo aap. Ab ye Railways ki galti hai? Government ki galti hai? Ya khud ki galti hai?” he asks, which translates to, “Look at this. Is it the fault of the Railways? The government? Or is it our own fault?”

He follows this by remarking, “Civic sense dekh lo aap,” calling attention to what he suggests is a lack of basic public responsibility among passengers.

Online reactions ignite civic sense debate

The clip quickly went viral, prompting a broader discussion on civic behaviour in public spaces, particularly on premium transport services. On Reddit, one user wrote, “People can pay INR 2000 to 10000 for a seat and can still remain padhe likhe gawar,” implying that higher ticket prices do not necessarily translate into better civic sense.

Another user questioned earlier assumptions that higher fares would ensure more responsible behaviour. “Where are those people who told me 2–3 days ago in this very sub that the people who will pay more will have more civic sense? Got your answer?” the comment read.

Others expressed frustration at what they saw as a recurring pattern. “Man, we seriously don't deserve good things,” one user wrote, while another suggested punitive measures, saying, “Start sending fines to the PNR users and block them from booking in future. That's the only way to stop such users.”

Railways official had issued pre-launch appeal

The incident has gained further attention in light of an appeal made by a senior railway official just days before the train’s launch. Ananth Rupanagudi, Chief Project Manager of Indian Railways, had urged future passengers to maintain discipline and respect public property.

In a post shared on X, Rupanagudi 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. Thanks!”

The resurfacing of this message following the viral video has led many users to point out that official warnings alone may not be enough to change public behaviour.

A flagship service under the spotlight

The Vande Bharat Sleeper is being projected as a major upgrade in India’s long-distance rail travel, combining higher speeds with enhanced comfort. The train comprises 16 modern coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823 and is designed to operate at speeds of up to 180 kmph. Railway officials say it is expected to significantly reduce travel time between key eastern and northeastern cities.

As the Vande Bharat Sleeper prepares for regular operations, the viral video has reignited an old debate: whether infrastructure upgrades alone are enough, or whether public behaviour needs equal attention for such projects to truly succeed.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Republic Day Wishes, Messages and speech!