Train travel is perfect for those who enjoy panoramic views. It offers the chance to meet new, friendly people and share culture and vision with fellow passengers. Nonetheless, it also has disadvantages, so many people prefer to travel by air, despite the appeal of the train journey.
The train bathrooms are a menace to the hygiene-conscious passengers. Forget about the sleeper and AC 3-tier bathrooms. They generally get dirty due to the railways’ slower maintenance activities. A few Indian passengers’ uncivil behavior contributes to this issue. The AC 2-tier and Vande Bharat Express trains face similar hygiene issues. A few uncivilized people behave this way because they lack a sense of hygiene. They also exhibit a total disregard for others.
In addition to hygiene issues, passenger safety is a significant concern in bathrooms. Many mishaps occur near the bathrooms because the doors are closed. This allows miscreants to quickly escape from a moving or standing train. Many women and girls fear using the bathroom for safety reasons. They try to avoid traveling as much as possible. In urgent situations, any male family member or friend provides companionship to ensure their safety.
Forget about the external threats to the women; there are internal threats within the train, as many complain about the constant stare from the strange male counterpart sitting opposite them or from the upper berth. Many creeps record the girls secretly by phone for their later sadistic pleasure. Ogle culture is prevalent among Indian men more broadly. No wonder India is called the capital of rape by Westerners. The creepy activities of the fellow co-passengers make the female uncomfortable and vulnerable. Many don’t sleep in fear on the train at night, and the male members of the family keep a close watch for protection.
New-age technology is widely adopted. Millions of people increasingly use smartphones. This has led to a new, trendy reel culture. Many young people and millennials are creating reels on trains and at platforms. Some are even on moving trains for social media views and a little virtual recognition. A popular reel culture is emerging within the Delhi metro area. The author encountered a group of young girls dancing and twerking to vulgar music inside a packed train. They disrupted others without regard for their inconvenience. The craze for social media validation has led to a cringeworthy social media disorder in train culture.
To make the train journey smoother, the railway regulatory body should first acknowledge the above problems. Then, they need to take appropriate steps to tackle them. It’s a must-do before developing the Vande Bharat Express. First, the existing issues with the current trains should be addressed before introducing new ones.
The Witty Stride 