A passenger traveling on the Vande Bharat Express recently took to social media to express their dismay over the train's allegedly poor condition, posting photos of "dirty tables, soiled seats, and inaccessible toilets". The images quickly went viral, sparking a debate about the maintenance and cleanliness of India's flagship train.
The passenger, Pranav Balakrishnan, shared the photos on social media platform X, along with a detailed description of the issues encountered during their journey. The post highlighted unclean seatbacks, tables covered in grime, and a disabled toilet that was locked and unusable. Balakrishnan also noted the absence of hand dryers and the generally unhygienic state of the coach. "Today's 20664 Vande Bharat is a different set than usual. It's in a pathetic condition," the passenger wrote, questioning why the train, which is less than two years old, was in such disrepair. They further lamented the contrast between the current state and the "normal Orange rake," which they claimed was better maintained.
The Indian Railways responded promptly to the complaint, stating that the original Rake No. 59 had been taken for scheduled maintenance (SS-1) and temporarily replaced with Spare Rake No. 29. According to the Railways' statement, Rake No. 29 had undergone "pit attention" on October 5, 2025, including interior cleaning, seat recliner maintenance, and the provision of hand dispensers and dryers. The Railways acknowledged the remaining deficiencies and assured that they would be addressed and a consolidated report would be issued. A senior official from Northern Railways explained that the cleaning process follows a strict 14-minute protocol drawn from Japan's bullet train model, enabling swift and efficient turnaround times. This method coordinates teams to clean coaches intensely between trips, aiming to maintain high hygiene levels even with tight schedules.
The incident has triggered mixed reactions on social media. Some users expressed disappointment over the hygiene standards on the premium train, while others shared similar experiences of poor maintenance on the Vande Bharat Express. Frustrations have also been voiced regarding the behavior of cleaning staff and instances of delayed cleaning services. In one case, passengers at Bhagalpur station had to pressure cleaning personnel, with intervention from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), to initiate cleaning after the train's arrival.
This is not the first time the Vande Bharat Express has faced criticism regarding cleanliness and maintenance. In January 2023, the Railway Minister directed officials to change the cleaning system in Vande Bharat trains after reports of littering. The new system involved a dedicated cleaning person moving through the coaches with a garbage bag, similar to the practice on flights. However, it appears that these measures have not been entirely effective in preventing instances of poor hygiene. Furthermore, there have been reports of passengers finding worms in the food served on the Vande Bharat Express, raising concerns about catering standards.
The Vande Bharat Express, known for its speed and modern amenities, represents the evolving face of Indian Railways. However, maintaining cleanliness, accessibility, and overall passenger experience remains a challenge. The recent incident highlights the need for stricter supervision, improved maintenance protocols, and greater passenger cooperation to ensure that the Vande Bharat Express lives up to its reputation as a world-class train service.
