Railway Officials Suspended Over Filthy Train Conditions for BSF Troops

Concerns Raised Over Train Hygiene for Troop Deployment

The Ministry of Railways has taken action by suspending four officials following complaints from the Border Security Force (BSF) regarding the unsanitary and dirty conditions of a special train designated for transporting 1,200 personnel from Tripura to Jammu and Kashmir.

This train was assigned to the BSF on Monday to facilitate the movement of troops who are set to be deployed for the Amarnath Yatra, scheduled from July 3 to August 9, traveling from Udaipur station to Jammu Tawi.

The Amarnath Yatra is a significant Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave in the Himalayas, revered as a holy site for the deity Shiva. This upcoming pilgrimage marks the first major religious event in Jammu and Kashmir following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

Previously, the central government approved the deployment of 581 companies of paramilitary forces to ensure sufficient security during the pilgrimage.

On Tuesday, the BSF train commandant lodged a formal complaint with the North Eastern Railway, expressing that the troops could not endure such a lengthy journey in the deteriorating coaches.

The complaint, directed to the Agartala Station Manager, requested an immediate replacement of the unsuitable coaches.

According to reports, the complaint highlighted that the interiors of the coaches were in disrepair, with broken toilet doors, and the train was infested with cockroaches and other pests, alongside filthy berths and washrooms lacking water and electricity.

“Traveling such a long distance under these unhygienic and inhumane conditions is unfeasible,” stated the BSF train commandant, warning that many troops might fall ill before their deployment.

The officer also pointed out an “unacceptable delay” in the train's allocation, which resulted in a 72-hour postponement of troop departure.

Numerous videos and images showcasing the poor condition of the coaches have been widely shared on social media.

In response to the incident, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed serious concern regarding the use of an unsuitable and outdated train for troop transport.

An investigation was initiated, leading to the suspension of four officials, including the coaching depot officer and three senior section engineers from the Alipurduar Railway Division.

A new special train has been arranged specifically for BSF personnel, with the minister emphasizing that the dignity and comfort of security forces are paramount and that such negligence will not be tolerated.