Agartala, June 12, 2025: The Ministry of Railways has suspended four officials from the Alipurduar Division following nationwide outrage over a dilapidated train sent to transport 1,200 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from Tripura to Jammu and Kashmir for deployment during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

The incident came to light after a BSF jawan posted disturbing visuals of the train on social media on June 10. The videos revealed deplorable conditions inside the non-air-conditioned coaches—broken ceilings, soiled and unusable toilets, insect infestation, damaged seats, and garbage scattered throughout the compartments.

The train had arrived in Tripura on June 9 and was scheduled to ferry the troops across the country for their security deployment. However, BSF personnel reportedly refused to board the train due to its unfit condition.

“The railway authorities were immediately informed. We made it clear that the train was not suitable for travel, especially for security personnel being deployed for a national duty,” a BSF official said.

Following swift backlash, the Ministry of Railways released a statement confirming that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had taken “serious note” of the incident. “In response to the lapse, four officials from the Alipurduar Division, including the Coaching Depot Officer and three Senior Section Engineers, have been placed under immediate suspension,” it read.

The Ministry emphasized that a fresh special train is now being arranged from Agartala with due regard to the comfort and dignity of the personnel.

“The dignity and convenience of our security forces are non-negotiable. Such negligence will not be tolerated,” the Minister asserted. A detailed inquiry has also been ordered to determine how such a train was cleared for deployment.

The incident occurs amid preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, scheduled from July 3 to August 9, for which the Ministry of Home Affairs has cleared the deployment of over 52,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).