Vande Bharat trains have been attracting positive reviews since their launch in 2019. Being a modern and luxury train, these feature comfortable seating, onboard meals, newspapers, and housekeeping staff. Some people also describe the cleanliness of these trains better than most of the hotels. While the government is doing their bit to provide better train services, some passengers still chose to leave their rubbish under the seats and all over. A viral video from a Vande Bharat train has once again turned the spotlight on the zero civic sense culture prevalent in India. It has once again raised the uncomfortable question: can India’s upgraded public transport infrastructure really remain clean if passengers do not treat it responsibly?The videoThe video was shared on Instagram by Sunil R, who posts as @maskedguyslife. The traveller first shows the good parts of Vande Bharat train. The video shows passengers receiving newspapers and food from the well-trained staff. Then it shows railway staff moving through the coach collecting used trays, food leftovers and other garbage. The interiors look clean, the washrooms and toilets absolutely well maintained. He has captioned the video:#indians and their “ZERO” #civicsense 🤦🏽💔Then comes the public behaviourThe shocking part comes at the end of the video. Garbage can be seen left behind in the coach, including discarded water bottles, snack packets and cans. Some of the waste can be seen underneath seats and stuffed inside seat pockets, despite the presence of dustbins and regular collection of garbage by the housekeeping staff.The video has since gone viral and has received millions of views. It has triggered a large discussion around civic behaviour on public transport.Public behaviour
Vande Bharat
What makes the footage particularly striking is not simply the presence of garbage. Trains have always generated waste, and railway cleaning staff routinely deal with it. The issue highlighted here was the apparent disconnect between the facilities available to passengers and the way some passengers used them.In the video, staff members can be seen actively collecting waste. That means passengers did not necessarily have to wait until the end of the journey to dispose of the waste. Yet some garbage was still left on or underneath the seats, which is surprising.He also clarified that his intention was not to criticise Vande Bharat or Indian Railways. Instead, he was pointing out the contrast between a modern, well-maintained train and the behaviour of some passengers travelling in it.Vande Bharat, a modern travel experienceVande Bharat has become one of Indian Railways’ most recognisable modern train services. When the first train was introduced, the government described it as offering Indian passengers a “world class experience” centred on speed, service and safety.However, a clean coach depends not only on railway staff but also on passengers. Even a highly efficient cleaning system can struggle if waste is deliberately pushed under seats or left in corners.Why the video struck a nerve
Vande Bharat sleeper train
For many viewers, the footage represented a familiar problem seen in railway stations, tourist destinations, beaches, roads and other shared public spaces: the tendency of some people to treat public property differently from their own homes.That is why the debate quickly shifted from “Who should clean the train?” to “Who is responsible for keeping it clean?”Railway employees obviously have a role in maintaining coaches. Passengers have one too.A simple act such as keeping a snack packet until the next collection round, placing a bottle in the designated bin or handing waste to the housekeeping staff can make a significant difference during a long journey.So, does India “not deserve” facilities like Vande Bharat?The headline may make for a strong social-media debate. But we can’t ignore better civic responsibility. If passengers expect clean, comfortable and modern trains, keeping them that way is also part of the journey.
