Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has responded promptly to a concerning situation involving Border Security Force (BSF) personnel who were assigned a severely dilapidated train for their deployment to Jammu and Kashmir. Following reports of the appalling conditions of the train, four officials from the Alipurduar Division—including the Coaching Depot Officer and three Senior Section Engineers—have been suspended immediately for negligence.
This action comes after the BSF lodged a formal complaint with Indian Railways regarding the train that had broken windows, jammed doors, filthy toilets, and non-functional electrical fittings. The situation escalated when the 1,200 BSF personnel scheduled to travel to Jammu for their security duties related to the Amarnath Yatra, set to commence on July 3, outright refused to board the train due to its uninhabitable conditions.
Minister Vaishnaw conveyed that the dignity and comfort of security personnel are paramount, stressing that such lapses in service are unacceptable. He announced an immediate replacement of the train and called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, directing railway authorities to take measures to prevent a recurrence of such negligence.
To rectify the situation, a special train is being arranged from Agartala to ensure that the BSF jawans receive better facilities and treatment befitting their service. This incident highlights the government’s commitment to supporting the fair treatment and morale of its armed forces, ensuring that personnel are provided with the respect and consideration they deserve.
