20 January,2026 07:11 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
They alleged that the TTE refused to allow them to carry their pole vault equipment, calling it “unauthorised luggage”. Pic/Special Arrangement
India's top pole vaulters, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Yadav, have alleged that they were forced off a train at Panvel railway station after a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) refused to allow them to carry their pole vault equipment, calling it "unauthorised luggage".
The athletes said that the equipment, nearly five metres long and worth several lakhs of rupees, is essential for training and competition. They claimed that despite explaining its importance and offering to pay any required charges or speak to senior railway officials, they were asked to disembark and were left stranded for several hours, causing them to miss a connecting train.
Central Railway officials denied the allegations and said the athletes were not deboarded. They stated that the players were only advised to book the equipment in the luggage section, as its size exceeded the permissible dimensions for passenger coaches.
"We respect sportspersons. We had requested them to book the pole in the luggage section from Panvel, as its dimensions were larger than the permitted limit and could inconvenience other passengers. There was no intention to hurt the sentiments of any player," said Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Dr Swapnil Nila.
In a detailed statement, the railway said that on January 17, 2026, pole vault pipes carried by passengers at Panvel station were found to be beyond the allowed size. Officials said the passengers were charged under unbooked luggage rules and fined Rs 1,865.
The statement added that the athletes and their group were not forced off any train and that seven to eight passengers travelled on the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express (Train No. 15066), carrying the equipment in a General Sitting coach.
The railways also clarified that the passengers were not made to wait for five to six hours.
According to officials, the group arrived at Panvel station around noon and were scheduled to depart at 3.50 pm. However, the train departed at 7.12 pm due to the late arrival of the incoming Gorakhpur-Panvel Express.
