For some, trains are not a mode of transport but an object to exploit.
The Indian Railways, as part of its revamp mission, is modernising trains and its coaches to provide better facilities to its passengers.
Not just vandals, but passengers too have been accused of indecent behaviour.
In an incident which reflects gross misuse of public services, passengers of Tejas Express, the country's first high-speed semi-luxurious train, took away headphones, damaged LCD screens, soiled the toilets and littered the entire train during its maiden journey from Goa to Mumbai.
The Railways, a year-and-a-half ago launched close to 300 Utkrisht coaches as part of upgrading its long-distance trains. However, it has come to light that most of the fittings from the trains’ washrooms are missing.
The railway data further reveals that nearly 2,000 mirrors with stainless steel frame, around 500 liquid soap dispensers, and nearly 3,000 toilet flush valves are missing from Utkrisht rakes, according to a report by Mumbai Mirror.
A Railways official told Mumbai Mirror that dozens of toilet seat covers are also missing and the fact has shocked senior officials.
Project Utkrisht was launched in October 2018 at the cost of Rs 400 crore to provide state-of-the-art facilities to passengers. Utkrisht rakes are provided to Central and Western Railways and are fitted with LED lights and have odourless toilets.
Mumbai Mirror, quoting a railway officer, said the Central Railway suffered a loss of Rs 15.25 lakh due to the thefts, while the Western Railway suffered 38.58 lakh loss.