A video posted by a British traveller showing an Indian Railways cleaning staffer dumping garbage onto the tracks after cleaning a coach has gone viral, drawing sharp criticism online and prompting an official response from RailwaySeva.
Traveller captures viral video on Indian train
The British vlogger, known as “Backpacker Ben”, was travelling on an Indian Railways train when he witnessed an incident that left him shocked. In a video shared on Instagram, Ben filmed a railway staff member collecting trash from the coach — only to throw the waste directly onto the railway tracks moments later.
The clip, titled “How they clean trains in India,” quickly gained traction online after being reposted on X (formerly Twitter). In the footage, Ben is heard saying, “Look at this. Look at the trash there,” as the worker discards the garbage outside. Returning to his berth, he tells his companions, “Guess where he threw the trash — on the tracks.” When they react in disbelief, Ben adds, “All of it, just shoved onto the tracks. He even saw I was filming — he didn’t care.”
Concluding the video, the traveller remarks with irony, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the trains of India.”
Public outrage and social media criticism
The video quickly went viral, sparking widespread criticism of the incident and raising questions about cleanliness practices under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
A user named Nikhil Saini reshared the video on X, tagging Indian Railways and writing:
“Dear Indian Railways, what’s this behaviour? Cleaning the entire coach in front of foreign tourists only to throw all the waste on the tracks — this isn’t cleanliness, it’s pure hypocrisy. If this is your idea of Swachh Bharat, it’s a shameful mockery of it.”
Thousands of users echoed similar sentiments, calling the act “embarrassing,” “environmentally harmful,” and “counterproductive to India’s image before tourists.”
Indian Railways responds to complaint
Responding to the viral post, RailwaySeva, the customer service handle of Indian Railways, replied:
“We regret the experience you had. Please share your PNR number and mobile number, preferably via DM, to enable us to take immediate action. You may also raise your concern directly on the RailMadad WhatsApp Bot.”
Saini followed up by sharing Ben’s original Instagram link, identifying the traveller and the source of the video. RailwaySeva responded again, saying, “We are still waiting for details (mobile number and PNR number) so that we can register your complaint and expedite resolution.”
Broader questions on waste management
The incident has reignited debate over waste disposal practices on trains. While Indian Railways has introduced several cleanliness initiatives — including onboard housekeeping services and mechanised cleaning at major stations — the problem of staff disposing of waste directly onto the tracks remains widespread.
Environmentalists have long criticised this practice, noting that it leads to plastic and food waste accumulation across India’s vast railway network. A 2023 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report highlighted that nearly 13,000 tonnes of waste generated annually by trains often ends up along railway lines due to gaps in waste segregation and disposal systems.
Experts say the viral video underscores the need for better training and accountability among railway cleaning staff, as well as stricter enforcement of eco-friendly waste management protocols.
Railways’ clean-up efforts under scrutiny
The Indian Railways has invested heavily in cleanliness drives in recent years, launching campaigns under the Swachh Rail–Swachh Bharat initiative. Trains like the Vande Bharat Express and Tejas Express now use bio-vacuum toilets and sealed garbage systems to reduce track litter. However, implementation remains inconsistent, especially on older or long-distance trains where manual cleaning is still common.
Several social media users called on the Railways Ministry to use the viral moment as a learning opportunity. “Instead of dismissing this as an isolated case, make it a turning point for behavioural reform,” one user wrote.
Awaiting official action
As of now, no official statement has been issued by the Railway Ministry regarding disciplinary action against the staffer seen in the video. RailwaySeva has maintained that the matter is being looked into and that appropriate action will follow once relevant details are confirmed.
The incident has sparked yet another conversation on balancing cleanliness goals with sustainable waste management — a challenge the Railways continues to face even a decade after the Swachh Bharat Mission began.