India, May 7 -- Sir,

I am writing this while travelling on the Bhagmathi Express, which departs from Mysuru every Friday.

Trains originating from Mysuru are usually clean and well-maintained. I often carry food from home and eat during the journey without any concern. However, today's experience has been deeply unpleasant.

Throughout the three-hour journey, there has been a strong stench from the toilets, spreading across most of the train. I moved between compartments to check, but the smell persisted, except perhaps in the AC coaches.

By the end of the journey, I felt nauseated and did not even dare to use the toilets.

What makes this more disappointing is that it brings back memories of how poor cleanliness in trains and stations ...