As per The Print, the Border Security Force (BSF) has strongly objected to the condition and delay of a special train provided by the Northeast Frontier Railway for moving troops to Jammu and Kashmir for Amarnath Yatra deployment. In a letter to railway officials, a commandant-level BSF officer flagged a more than 72-hour delay and described the coaches as “unhygienic and dilapidated,” citing serious sanitation concerns.
The special train, which was scheduled to be placed at Udaipur Railway Station in Tripura on June 6, was made available only by the evening of June 9, leaving nearly 1,300 personnel from 13 BSF companies stranded. These troops were supposed to reach J&K for induction by June 12, ahead of the Amarnath Yatra starting July 3.
Upon inspection, BSF personnel found the coaches infested with cockroaches and insects, and the washrooms damaged, soiled with human waste, and without water. Photos taken by the troops and shared with authorities showed broken interiors and poor sanitation, raising concerns about potential health risks during the long journey.
In its response, Northeast Frontier Railway claimed that the problematic coaches were intended for maintenance and were mistakenly boarded by CAPF personnel. “The videos being circulated show coaches marked for Periodic Overhauling, not meant for passengers,” said K. K. Sharma, CPRO of NFR. He added that the coaches were detached in Agartala and the issue was resolved before the train resumed its journey.
Sources confirmed the train eventually departed for Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday evening. However, BSF officials maintained that the delay and poor coordination could impact timely deployment, especially given the heightened security needs following the recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the deployment of 425 CAPF companies for the yatra, including 130 from the BSF. These reinforcements are in addition to the 156 companies already stationed in the region.
The BSF has urged the Railways to replace the faulty bogies and ensure adherence to hygiene and safety standards for troop movement in the future.
