Patna: In 2025, on some of Bihar’s busiest suburban rail routes, passengers are still sitting on bare wooden benches.
That is the uncomfortable reality flagged by a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the handle Patna Index, which highlighted the condition of a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) rake operating daily on key routes including Mokama–Patna, Patna–Barauni and Patna–Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction under East Central Railway.
According to the post, a single MEMU rake is being rotated across at least five passenger services—63203, 63221, 63284, 63283 and 63231—carrying thousands of commuters every day. The rake, the post alleges, is in visibly poor condition, with wooden, cushion-less seating, dirty toilets, non-functional passenger information boards, untidy floors with cobwebs, and several fans that do not work.
“These outdated rakes serve thousands daily and urgently need replacement or renovation,” the post said, tagging senior railway officials and the Ministry of Railways. “Bihar’s commuters deserve better.”
🚨Can you believe in 2025, MEMU trains running on @ECRlyHJP’s mainlines like Mokama-Patna Fast Passenger, Patna-Barauni, Barauni-Patna, and Patna-Deen Dayal Upadhyay still have wooden seats?
This MEMU rake shared across 5 passenger trains daily (63203, 63221, 63284, 63283,… pic.twitter.com/ZbCJMTrHkT
— Patna Index (@Index_Magadh) December 27, 2025
The issue has struck a chord with regular passengers, many of whom rely on MEMU services for daily travel between Patna, Barauni and nearby towns for work, education and essential services. MEMU trains are designed for high-frequency, short-distance travel, and are often the backbone of affordable mobility in densely populated regions such as central Bihar.
Railway experts point out that while Indian Railways has invested heavily in premium services and station redevelopment, basic commuter infrastructure has not always kept pace, particularly in eastern India. The continued use of ageing MEMU rakes with minimal refurbishment raises questions about maintenance standards and fleet modernisation priorities.
The post has tagged officials from the Danapur and Sonpur divisions, as well as the Ministry of Railways, calling for immediate intervention. So far, there has been no public response from railway authorities to the specific allegations.
For daily passengers, however, the issue is less about online outrage and more about dignity and safety. “We are not asking for luxury,” said a regular commuter on the Patna–Barauni route. “We just want clean coaches, working fans and seats that don’t feel like they belong to another century.”
As Bihar’s cities expand and commuter numbers grow, the spotlight on these MEMU services is unlikely to fade. Whether the attention translates into concrete action now rests with the railway administration.
