WATCH: "Rats in AC coach?" Passenger’s horror story on premium train sparks outrage

A comfortable train journey in an air-conditioned coach sounds like the perfect way to travel. But what happens when you find yourself surrounded by rats instead of a peaceful, comfortable ride? One passenger's recent experience aboard the South Bihar Express has gone viral, and it's raising questions about cleanliness and maintenance in premium railway services.
A shocking discovery: Rats on the train
Prashant Kumar was traveling on the South Bihar Express, looking forward to a quiet journey in the AC 2-tier coach. After paying over ₹3,000 for the ticket, he expected to be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the comfort of the premium service. But soon after settling in, he was horrified to see several rats running freely around the coach. The rats were everywhere– climbing over seats, running across luggage, and even invading sleeping areas. This was not the travel experience Kumar had paid for.
The railway's response: A spray that didn't help

In an attempt to solve the problem, Kumar immediately contacted the railway's helpline. The staff responded by spraying insecticide throughout the coach. Unfortunately, this action didn’t stop the rats. Instead, it only added to the discomfort with the overpowering smell of the insecticide while the rats continued to roam around. For a passenger who had already paid for a premium service, this was a huge letdown.
Taking it to X: A viral outburst
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Frustrated by the lack of a proper resolution, Kumar turned to X to share his experience. In a series of tweets, he posted videos showing the rats running through the coach, tagging the Railway Ministry and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. His message was clear: "Train 13288, multiple rats in coach A1, rats are climbing over the seats and luggage. Is this why I paid so much for AC 2 class? What is this condition of Indian Railways, paid over ₹3,000 for this rat infested train?” The posts quickly gained traction, sparking a debate on social media about the condition of trains and cleanliness in premium services.
Reactions from the internet: Humour and concerns
As always, the internet responded with a mix of humour and serious concerns. Some users took the opportunity to make jokes. One person sarcastically suggested, “How can they roam around without tickets? Rat tickets should be introduced in the next budget.” Another joked, “Your ticket might be RAC, check it. Both of you will have to share the seat.” A third user humorously pointed out, “Now I understand why pets are not allowed in 2AC and 3AC.”
However, beyond the jokes, many users took the issue seriously. Some people suggested that passengers themselves were partly responsible for the situation, with one person saying, “It’s not just the Railways at fault here. Passengers often leave food and trash behind, which attracts pests.”
Cleanliness: A shared responsibility

The incident raises an important point about cleanliness in public spaces. While passengers need to dispose of their food and trash properly, the responsibility also lies with Indian Railways to ensure that their coaches are properly maintained and cleaned. Long-distance train journeys, especially in premium services, should offer passengers a comfortable environment, free from pests and dirt.
Looking for long-term solutions
While it’s clear that passengers should do their part in maintaining cleanliness, the railway system also needs to improve its pest control and waste management practices. This means regularly cleaning trash bins and taking preventive measures to ensure that rodents and other pests don’t make their way into the coaches.
Prashant Kumar’s experience is a wake-up call for Indian Railways. If passengers are paying a premium for better service, they deserve to get what they’ve paid for– a clean, comfortable, and pest-free environment.
This is not for the first time, when such instance have taken place in a train. In past too, there have been incidents when passengers witnessed rats and other mammals and suffered even after paying a hefty amount for travelling.