Even as Indian Railways pushes modernisation and semi-high-speed ambitions, passengers travelling on long-distance trains originating from Guwahati say basic cleanliness inside coaches and washrooms remains a persistent problem. The complaints have sparked public concern across Assam, a state that relies heavily on rail connectivity for inter-district and inter-state travel.
Recent passenger feedback on services under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon in Guwahati, has drawn attention to hygiene lapses, especially on long journeys where poor sanitation quickly becomes a health and comfort issue.
Passengers travelling on long-distance trains originating from Guwahati have raised repeated complaints over dirty coaches and washrooms, particularly on routes under the Northeast Frontier Railway. Despite Indian Railways’ modernisation drive, travellers say hygiene issues persist throughout journeys, prompting calls for stricter cleaning protocols and monitoring.
Complaints Across Key Long-Distance Routes
An analysis of passenger feedback indicates recurring complaints on several prominent long-distance services starting from Assam, including trains linking Guwahati and Dibrugarh to destinations across northern and western India. Travellers report unclean washrooms, littered coach floors, foul odours, and inconsistent water supply often persisting for hours.
Passengers say these issues are more pronounced after the initial leg of the journey, when onboard cleaning schedules appear to lapse.
Voices from Guwahati
Manish Kumar, a resident of Chhatribari, recalled his experience while travelling with his family. “The washrooms were very dirty, and we had to adjust for almost 16 hours. Only after filing a complaint on the helpline did the cleaning staff arrive, but there was still no water in the taps,” he said.
Similar accounts shared by Guwahati-based passengers point to delayed response times and patchy follow-up even after formal complaints are registered.
Why It Matters More in Assam
For Assam, trains are not just a choice but a necessity connecting remote districts to Guwahati and onward to the rest of the country. Poor hygiene on long journeys disproportionately affects families, elderly passengers, and those travelling for work or medical reasons.
As Guwahati serves as the Northeast’s primary rail gateway, service quality on trains originating here shapes the region’s overall travel experience.
Calls for Concrete Action
Passengers and civic groups are urging Northeast Frontier Railway to tighten monitoring of onboard housekeeping, ensure adequate water supply, and enforce accountability of cleaning contractors throughout the journey, not just at originating stations.
Railway officials have not issued a detailed response to the latest round of complaints at the time of reporting.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
With Maligaon hosting NFR’s headquarters, Guwahati is central to planning, oversight, and execution of service standards in the Northeast. Addressing hygiene gaps here could set the tone for improvements across the region.
What Happens Next
Passenger groups are expected to continue escalating complaints through official helplines and social media. Stakeholders are calling for routine audits, real-time grievance redressal, and stricter penalties for non-compliance by service providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which railway zone operates the most long-distance trains from Guwahati?
Most long-distance services from Guwahati fall under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone.
Q2. What are passengers complaining about most?
Common complaints include dirty coaches and washrooms, lack of water, delayed cleaning, and poor hygiene maintained over long journeys.
