The Vande Bharat trains are known for speed, comfort and a premium travel experience. But even the newest trains can face unexpected problems. During the inaugural run of Bihar’s Vande Bharat, a video
showed several people without tickets crowding the train, acting as if it was a regular service. The clip shows other passengers and onlookers asking the ticketless travellers to get down before the gates closed.
It’s unclear whether these people just wanted a glimpse of the new train or were trying to travel without paying. The incident sparked debate online. A user explained that in Bihar, people are used to taking trains without tickets because many villages have unofficial or illegal railway stops. They suggested that if this habit continues, some might even try to travel without paying on planes as well.
Ticketless Passengers Crowd Bihar’s Vande Bharat
The video posted on X came with the caption, “Breaking news from Bihar: Ticketless geniuses waltzed into Bihar’s first Vande Bharat. This was totally expected in a state where many villages have their own illegal railway stations. If it was possible, they would travel ticketless in planes too.”
Breaking news from Bihar: Ticketless geniuses waltzed into Bihar's first Vande Bharat. This was totally expected in the state where many villages have their own illegal railway stations. If it was possible they would travel ticketless in planes too. pic.twitter.com/nOmNc8HbsD
— Rakesh Krishnan Simha (@ByRakeshSimha) January 22, 2026
Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “This is the fault of your socialism that even after 75 years of independence, they could not read where this train was going, whether it stops at their destination or not. But yes, it’s expected that some people (with vested interests) will blame the public for the failure of their double engine sarkaar.”
Another shared, “Lack of understanding and making an issue of every single thing. Those innocent people just went to see the train. Railway management is there to judge them, why are you all being judged here?”
“Bihar is not for beginners,” a comment read.
An individual stated, “The ground reality of Bihar is much worse. This is just a small example of what that state is.”
Another mentioned, “If there is a train for the rich, then there should be a train for poors too, which guarantees confirmed tickets and travel with dignity. Don’t criminalise them only because you are rich and feel entitled.”
One more added, “In Bengaluru SMVT railway station and in Kerala too, you can’t go inside without a platform ticket and the rules are strictly followed (police keep checking), inside the SMVT platform, you’ll see no crowd, only people have tickets and their relatives.”
Railways Can Be Held Responsible
As per Live Law, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has said that the Railways can be held responsible if ticketless passengers cause overcrowding and a genuine passenger gets hurt. The Court explained that letting people travel without tickets shows a lack of proper supervision and safety by the Railways. This failure cannot be used as an excuse to avoid responsibility.
The case came from an appeal under the Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987, where compensation was denied because the deceased was a genuine passenger. The Court clarified that it is the Railways’ duty to make sure only passengers with valid tickets board the train. If the Railways do not stop ticketless passengers and someone is injured or dies because of overcrowding, this counts as negligence. In such situations, the Railways can be asked to pay compensation for failing to provide safety and proper supervision.
