Old, dirty train coaches provided to BSF troops: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw suspends 4 officials, orders probe
By Tajdar H. Zaidi
New Delhi
In a development that has triggered national concern and embarrassment, the Ministry of Railways has come under intense scrutiny after reports and visuals emerged showing Border Security Force (BSF) personnel being made to travel in filthy, dilapidated train coaches.
The troops were en route from Tripura to Jammu and Kashmir for deployment during the annual Amarnath Yatra, a major pilgrimage that begins on July 3.
The controversy erupted after video footage shot by BSF jawans themselves surfaced on social media, revealing the deplorable state of the train coaches.
The visuals—showing dirty toilets, cockroach-infested compartments, broken seats, and peeling walls—quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism from citizens, politicians, and former servicemen alike.
In response to the outcry, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took swift action by suspending four officials, including three senior section engineers and a coaching depot officer from the Alipurduar Railway Division, which comes under the Northeast Frontier Railway Zone.
The Railway Ministry also confirmed that a high-level inquiry has been initiated to probe the lapse.
“The dignity and well-being of our security forces are of paramount importance,” said Minister Vaishnaw in an official statement. “Such negligence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
He further emphasized that steps are being taken to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
Troop Movement for Amarnath Yatra
According to official sources, around 1,200 BSF personnel, forming part of 13 companies, were scheduled to move from Udaipur in Tripura to Jammu Tawi via a special train that was to make multiple halts across Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal to pick up troops.
The movement was a part of a larger central government deployment plan to bolster security for the Amarnath Yatra in the sensitive Kashmir valley.
However, the train that was provided to these jawans on June 9 turned out to be far below acceptable standards. Personnel who boarded the train were shocked at its condition.
Several BSF members inspecting the train recorded videos of the unhygienic interiors and shared them through social media channels, sparking an immediate public backlash.
Denial from Railways, Political Firestorm
While the Northeast Frontier Railway Zone initially dismissed the allegations as misleading in a social media post on platform X (formerly Twitter), the visual evidence proved otherwise. The denial only served to fuel further criticism, particularly from opposition parties.
Prominent Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed lashed out at the government, saying, “This is what happens when the government’s entire focus is on PR and launching flashy new trains for headlines, while the rest of the rail network and its users—our soldiers included—are neglected.”
In a sharp rebuke on X, she continued, “Shame on @narendramodi and @AshwiniVaishnaw for providing a filthy train full of dirt, cockroaches, and broken seats for our BSF soldiers heading for national duty.”
The Congress and other opposition leaders have accused the government of indulging in optics while failing to meet the basic operational requirements for the nation’s armed forces.
Government Response and Damage Control
To mitigate the damage and uphold the dignity of the troops, the Railway Ministry announced that a special train equipped with all essential amenities has now been arranged for the continued movement of BSF personnel. The train will reportedly include clean and well-maintained coaches, catering services, and functional sanitation facilities to ensure a smooth and respectful journey for the deployed forces.
Senior Railway Board officials are expected to visit the affected locations and personally assess the conditions of the troop transportation infrastructure. Sources suggest that this incident may trigger a broader review of how Indian Railways handles troop movements, especially during special operations or national security deployments.
A Larger Issue of Prioritization?
This episode has once again raised troubling questions about the state of public transport infrastructure in India, particularly concerning the movement of defence and paramilitary personnel, who often operate in some of the most challenging and dangerous conditions.
Experts believe that while investments in high-speed and luxury trains like Vande Bharat Express are welcome, the foundational logistics systems, such as those used by the armed forces, must not be overlooked.
“It’s a matter of national respect and preparedness,” said a retired Army officer. “If our forces are treated like this during routine deployments, what message are we sending about our priorities as a nation?”
As the government seeks to control the narrative and enforce accountability, the incident has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about governance, infrastructure, and the treatment of India’s security forces, not just in words but in action.
