Why is there a caste-system for trains, asks PAC

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by elder Congress person K.C. Venugopal, astatine its gathering connected Monday (February 9, 2026) castigated the authorities for what it described arsenic a “caste system” successful the Indian Railways, providing amended sanitation facilities for premium trains portion neglecting regular rider trains.

The sheet was reviewing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s study connected “Cleanliness and Sanitation successful Long-Distance Trains successful Indian Railways” for the twelvemonth ending March 2023. The Indian Railways was represented by Satish Kumar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board.

A BJP subordinate pointed retired that determination appears to beryllium a “caste system” successful trains, with premium services specified arsenic the Vande Bharat offering superior linen and cleaner coaches compared to regular rider trains.

The Railway Board Chairman acknowledged respective systemic and structural challenges—such arsenic constricted stoppages, terrible unit shortages, fund constraints, and precocious rider volumes—that hinder efforts to support cleanliness.

Panel members, however, contested this justification, according to sources. They noted that these long-standing issues should person been addressed by present with factual solutions. The committee recommended periodic cleanliness audits crossed each zones and directed the Railways to support a broad integer dashboard, citing the lack of consolidated information connected grievances received and resolved. Members besides stressed the request for a azygous rider grievance redress mechanism. Additionally, they suggested balancing penalties and incentives for zones based connected cleanliness show and called for a elaborate survey to amended laundry management.

Mr. Kumar informed the sheet that, arsenic portion of efforts to guarantee cleaner trains, the Railways has introduced “quick-watering stations” astatine respective locations, particularly for long-distance trains with constricted stoppages. The sheet recommended a important summation successful the fig of specified stations and urged an upward revision of the sanitation budget.

Indian Railways operates 12,541 rider trains, carrying much than 17.52 cardinal passengers regular crossed implicit 7,364 stations.