A controversy erupted after Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were provided with old and dirty train coaches for their deployment to the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir, leading to swift action from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The incident triggered outrage after videos of the dilapidated coaches circulated on social media, prompting Vaishnaw to suspend four officials and order an immediate inquiry.
The issue came to light when approximately 1,200 BSF troops from 13 companies were scheduled to travel by a special train from Udaipur in Tripura to Jammu Tawi, with several stops planned across Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal to collect all personnel. The train, meant to be available from June 6th, was only provided on June 9th. Upon inspection, the BSF jawans found the coaches to be in "poor and unhygienic" condition, with dirt, cockroaches, and broken seats, and recorded videos that quickly went viral.
The Railway Minister emphasized that the dignity of the security forces is paramount and that such negligence would not be tolerated at any level. The suspended officials include three senior section engineers and a coaching depot officer from the Alipurduar Rail Division.
The incident sparked widespread criticism, with social media users and political figures condemning the Railways for the unacceptable conditions. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed criticized the government's focus on "flashy trains" while neglecting the travel conditions of ordinary citizens and security personnel.
Following the BSF's refusal to board the initial train, a replacement train in better condition was arranged. The Railway Ministry has also ordered a full inquiry into the matter to identify systemic shortcomings and prevent similar incidents in the future. In addition, a dedicated special train has been arranged from Agartala exclusively for BSF personnel.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, responding to questions about the viral video, stated that action had already been taken, with the train rake replaced and the responsible officers suspended. This swift response underscores the government's intent to address the issue seriously and ensure that security forces are provided with appropriate facilities. The incident has raised questions about the maintenance and oversight of railway coaches, particularly those designated for transporting security personnel.
