Even before its formal launch, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express has sparked a debate, this time not over speed or onboard facilities, but over passenger behaviour and cleanliness. The discussion was triggered
by remarks from a senior railway official, who urged travellers to take responsibility for maintaining hygiene on the new premium service.
Chief Project Manager of Indian Railways, Ananth Rupanagudi, in a post on social media platform X, said only those who know how to use toilets properly and respect public property should travel on the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. The post quickly went viral, drawing over 80,000 views and a flurry of reactions.
Responding to criticism from users, one of whom pointed out that basic amenities such as functioning flush systems, water and tissues are often missing even in 2AC and 3AC coaches, Rupanagudi said these issues are not common on premium trains. He added that the real concern is that many passengers do not flush toilets or even check whether the system is working.
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! #IndianRailways #VandeBharat https://t.co/mnnm153clQ
— Ananth Rupanagudi (@Ananth_IRAS) January 12, 2026
In another exchange, a user shared a video allegedly showing railway staff dumping garbage on tracks. Rupanagudi dismissed the claim, saying old or selective clips do not present the full picture. While acknowledging existing challenges, he said strict action, including heavy fines, is being taken against vendors found violating cleanliness norms.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is scheduled to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Guwahati-Howrah route on January 17. The new service introduces several changes, including a ticketing system without RAC or waiting lists, with only confirmed tickets being issued. According to the Railway Board, passengers will be charged a minimum fare equivalent to a 400-kilometre journey, even for shorter distances.
Railway officials have said fares will be marginally higher than those of other premium trains such as the Rajdhani, though travel time is expected to be reduced by nearly three hours. The Railways maintain that as services become more modern, passenger responsibility must also keep pace.
