In an incident that has triggered widespread outrage, India’s top pole vaulters Dev Meena and Kuldeep Yadav were forced to disembark a train at Panvel railway station after being denied permission to carry their specialised sporting equipment, leaving them stranded for hours and missing their connecting journey.

The athletes were returning to Bhopal after competing at the All India Inter-University Athletics Championships in Bengaluru when a travelling ticket examiner objected to their pole vault poles, terming them “unauthorised luggage”. Each pole, nearly five metres long and costing around ₹2 lakh, is a custom-fitted piece of equipment essential for elite competition, making replacement both difficult and expensive.

Despite repeated requests for clarification, appeals to speak with senior railway officials, and offers to pay a fine on the spot, the athletes were asked to get down from the train at Panvel. Videos shared on social media showed the duo visibly distressed, highlighting the lack of clear protocols for transporting specialised sports equipment on public transport.

Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin Breaks Down Shubman Gill's Dismissal Technique in ODI vs New Zealand

National record holder Dev Meena, who has cleared 5.40 metres, questioned the system’s treatment of elite athletes, asking what hope younger sportspersons could have if international-level competitors faced such hurdles. Kuldeep Yadav, the gold medallist at the Bengaluru meet with a 5.10-metre jump, said similar issues regularly occur during air travel as well, pointing to a broader logistical challenge faced by pole vaulters.

After hours of delay and negotiations, the athletes were eventually allowed to board another train, but only after paying a fine and being warned that any passenger complaint about space could lead to further action. By then, they had already missed their original connection, adding to the physical and emotional toll of the episode.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about institutional support for athletes, especially as India aspires to host major global sporting events in the future. While expectations for medals and international success continue to rise, the Panvel episode has underscored the persistent gaps in basic infrastructure and administrative sensitivity needed to support the country’s sporting ambitions.

Also Read: RCB Demolish Gujarat Giants by 61 Runs — Perfect 5-Win Streak Books Playoff Spot