Viral video of train compartment puja prompts Northern Railway clarification
Northern Railway clarified a viral video showed a religious ceremony in a privately booked, ultra-luxury saloon car, not a standard compartment, ensuring passenger safety was not compromised.
Northern Railway clarified a viral video showed a religious ceremony in a privately booked, ultra-luxury saloon car, not a standard compartment, ensuring passenger safety was not compromised.
Northern Railway clarified a viral video showed a religious ceremony in a privately booked, ultra-luxury saloon car, not a standard compartment, ensuring passenger safety was not compromised.
A viral video showing a religious ceremony being performed inside a train compartment has prompted a formal clarification from Northern Railway. The footage, which shows a priest conducting a puja on the floor of the coach surrounded by several devotees, quickly sparked safety concerns and questions on social media regarding the safety and permissibility of such rituals on running trains.
In response to the growing online debate, Northern Railway issued a statement on its official X account to set the record straight. Officials clarified that the incident did not take place inside a standard passenger compartment, but rather within an ultra-luxury saloon car coach booked by a private individual.
According to the railway authorities, the premium coach was chartered via IRCTC for a whopping ₹3,08,580 for a journey from New Delhi to Mumbai on 10 July. Northern Railway reassured the public that passengers' safety remains its utmost priority and that it was never compromised during the journey.
What is a luxury saloon car coach?
Unlike standard passenger compartments, a saloon car is an ultra-luxury coach designed to offer a hotel-like experience on wheels. Originally reserved exclusively for top railway officials and state dignitaries, these coaches are now available for private booking through IRCTC. Often described as a moving house, a saloon coach typically features air-conditioned bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious living area, a dining room, and attached washrooms.
Chartering one of these premium coaches comes with a premium price tag. Booking charges generally start at ₹2 lakh, with the final cost varying significantly depending on the travel distance, route, and any additional services requested by the passengers.