National record holder pole vaulter, coach forced by Railways to pay to travel with kits

By Admin

21 Jan, 2026

Introduction
A disturbing incident at Panvel Railway Station has once again highlighted the systemic challenges faced by Indian athletes while travelling with professional sports equipment. India’s national record holder in pole vault, Dev Kumar Meena, and his coach Ghanshyam were allegedly subjected to humiliation and financial penalty by railway officials for carrying essential training equipment, sparking widespread outrage on social media and raising serious questions about the treatment of sportspersons in the country.

Incident at Panvel Railway Station
The incident occurred when Dev Kumar Meena and his teammates were returning from the All India Inter-University Championship in Mangaluru and planned to board a train from Panvel to Bhopal. While some players were seated near their pole vault poles outside the station, a Travelling Ticket Examiner asked them to remove the equipment.

Coach Ghanshyam explained that the items were pole vault poles, supported his claim with participation proof and medals, and clarified that the equipment was indispensable for athletes. Despite repeated explanations, the officials insisted that the poles should have been booked in the luggage compartment.

Athlete’s profile and recent achievement
The 20-year-old Dev Kumar Meena is one of India’s most promising athletes. In July 2025, he broke his own national record for the third time at the World University Games in Germany, clearing an impressive height of 5.40 metres. Travelling with professional equipment is not a luxury for such athletes, but a necessity tied directly to performance, safety, and preparation.

Why pole vault equipment cannot be treated as ordinary luggage
Coach Ghanshyam clarified that pole vault poles are nearly five metres long and made of fiberglass. Each pole costs close to ₹2 lakh and is extremely fragile. Placing them in a luggage van carries a high risk of breakage due to rough handling.

He added that athletes usually travel in Third AC and carefully place the poles above fans in sleeper or general compartments without causing inconvenience to other passengers. There is also a constant risk of theft, which forces athletes and coaches to keep a close watch on the equipment throughout the journey.

Demand for fine and missed train
Despite demonstrating that the poles were not obstructing anyone, the ticket examiner allegedly demanded ₹8,000 as a fine or asked the athletes to leave the equipment behind at the station. After prolonged pleading and confusion, the group missed their scheduled train.

In an effort to resolve the issue, Ghanshyam contacted Olympian Ranjit Maheshwari, a railway sports officer in Mumbai, and his wife V.S. Surekha, a former pole vaulter. Both reportedly advised the officials not to harass the athletes, warning of embarrassment if the matter surfaced publicly. Even a letter from the Madhya Pradesh government’s sports department requesting permission to transport sports equipment was ignored.

Final resolution after hours of distress
After four to five hours of repeated appeals, the athletes were finally allowed to travel, but only after paying ₹1,875 as a fine for carrying 80 kg of equipment. The amount was paid from their own pockets, leaving the group mentally exhausted and disappointed.

Coach Ghanshyam, who holds an international Level-1 coaching certification and is pursuing a PhD in Physical Education, described the incident as deeply disheartening and unnecessary.

Railways’ response
The Central Railway CPRO stated that there was no intention to hurt the sentiments of any player. According to the official, the athletes were requested to book the poles in the luggage section as their dimensions exceeded permissible limits. The official also added that the train was rescheduled due to late running and denied allegations circulating on social media.

Athletes demand a permanent solution
Dev Kumar Meena, an Asian Under-20 bronze medallist, echoed his coach’s concerns and called for clear, permanent guidelines.

He stated that if an international-level athlete faces such difficulties, junior athletes likely experience even greater hardship. Dev emphasized the need for a proper system to transport athletic equipment like pole vault poles and javelins, similar to existing travel arrangements for athletes.

Conclusion
The Panvel incident underscores a larger issue within Indian sports infrastructure—lack of standardized policies for transporting specialized athletic equipment. Athletes already face immense physical, mental, and financial challenges. Administrative hurdles and humiliation during travel only disrupt focus, preparation, and performance. What athletes and coaches are seeking is not special treatment, but clarity, respect, and assurance that essential equipment reaches competitions safely and without unnecessary distress.