Howrah: A video showing litter scattered inside a coach of India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express has gone viral just hours after the train was ceremonially
flagged off, drawing attention to passenger behaviour on the premium service.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express was flagged off between Howrah and Guwahati on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, by evening, a passenger shared a video on X showing plastic packets and disposable spoons lying on the floor of a coach of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The user wrote that the littering occurred within hours of the train’s inaugural run, questioning the civic sense of commuters.
Litter on Vande Bharat Sleeper hours after inaugural run
🚨People litter on vande bharat Sleeper train within hours of its inaugural run.
Just see the civic sense pic.twitter.com/cCcvbJJWoL
— Indian Infra Report (@Indianinfoguide) January 18, 2026
Days before the flag-off, Indian Railway Accounts Service officer and Chief Project Manager Ananth Rupanagudi had urged people to travel on the new train “only if you have learnt your toilet manners”, “only if you obey the instructions given in the washrooms,” and “have respect for public property”. His remarks resurfaced on social media following the circulation of the video.
The incident sparked reactions online, with several users criticising passengers for dirtying the newly launched train. Some pointed out that the Vande Bharat Sleeper is being positioned as a premium long-distance service, with fares higher than conventional trains on the same route. A 3AC ticket on the Howrah–Guwahati Saraighat Express costs around Rs 1,500, while fares on the Vande Bharat Sleeper go up to approximately Rs 2,300.
The train has been showcased by the government as part of Indian Railways’ modernisation drive, featuring upgraded coaches, improved amenities and enhanced safety systems. The littering incident has raised concerns about passenger responsibility on high-end railway services.
It is also noteworthy that the Howrah–Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper has not yet begun regular commercial operations. The train’s commercial services are scheduled to start from January 22. The Saturday run was part of the inaugural ceremony.
Following the video’s circulation, Indian Railways said it had taken note of the incident. A senior railway official stated that cleanliness on trains is a shared responsibility, as the railway network is public property.
