3 Days After Patna Metro Launch, ‘Gutka’ Stains Appear At Station. Internet Fumes: ‘Inka Encounter...’

People of Patna have waited for years to see the metro trains finally run across their city and that wait ended with the inauguration of the Patna Metro’s first phase. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched

the 3.6-km elevated stretch on October 6 and the metro officially opened to the public a day later on October 7.

But the enthusiasm surrounding this big step for Bihar’s capital soon hit an unexpected bump. Just a few days after the grand launch, a video recorded at one of the new metro stations began circulating online that has left many disappointed. The clip showed red gutka stains not just on the stairs and walls but also on the platform areas and even the tracks.

‘Gutka Gang’ Arrives At Patna Metro

In the video, a man can be heard expressing his frustration, saying, “Patna metro ko chalu hue 2-3 din bhi nhi hue aur aap yaha par dekh sakte hai ki gutka gang aa chuke hai aur yaha metro station aur platform ko ganda karke laal laal kar rahe hai. Kuch toh sharam karlo Bihar walo. Bihar sarkar itna accha kaam kar rahi hai, metro bana rahi hai aur aap use ganda kar rahe ho (It’s not even been 2–3 days since the Patna Metro started and you can already see the ‘gutka gang’ has arrived who have turned the metro stations and platforms with red stains. Have some shame, people of Bihar. The government is doing such a good job by building this metro, and you’re making it dirty).”

The overlay text on the video read: “Patna Metro mein aa gaya hai Gutka Gang. Kuch toh sharam karlo yaar (Gutka Gang has arrived in Patna Metro. Have some shame).”

“It’s only been 4-5 days since the Patna Metro started, but the gutka gang has become active to make it colorful. The government should pay attention to this,” said the caption shared along with the clip.

पटना मेट्रो के शुरू हुए 4, 5 दिन ही हुए लेकिन गुटका गैंग सक्रिय हो गए है इसको रंगीन बनाने के लिए। सरकार को इसपर ध्यान देना चाहिए। pic.twitter.com/D2npWQy7J3

— छपरा जिला

Social Media Calls For Strict Action Against ‘Gutka Gang’

The video gained significant attention online as it gathered hundreds of comments. Many people expressed disappointment and shared ideas to deal with the issue.

One user commented, “The government should make such people clean up that gutkha. We’ll keep complaining to the government about infrastructure, but when the government builds it and hands it over, we’ll go and spit on that very thing.”

Another said, “I don’t understand why the government imposes a ban on all pan masala/gutkha manufacturing companies.”

“Cameras should identify those who litter and make them clean up. Until there’s a sense of shame, people won’t learn. If you throw even one piece of garbage, you should clean the streets for the next 1 hour,” suggested a viewer.

Someone else wrote, “The entire country is troubled by the gutka gang. There is a need to impose a complete ban on gutka.”

“I don’t know what obsession I had, but I had this feeling like it was coming. And now it’s here. Once again, we find ourselves on the same page when it comes to civic sense,” read another comment.

Someone also stated, “Gutka thukne walo ko encounter karo patana metro saf rakho.”

More About Patna Metro

The first phase currently includes three important stations: ISBT, Zero Mile and Bhootnath Road. Once completed, the Blue Line (North–South corridor) will stretch 16.2 km and connect Patna Junction with ISBT which will have five elevated and seven underground stations.

The planned 12 stations are Patna Junction, Akashvani, Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, Patna University, Moin Ul Haq Stadium, Rajendra Nagar, Malahi Pakri, Khemmni Chak, Bhootnath, Zero Mile and New ISBT.