World-Class Infrastructure—Third-Class Civic Sense

India is rapidly developing, with world-class infrastructure projects transforming cities and transportation networks. The country boasts modern metro systems, high-speed trains, express highways, and grand airports that rival those in developed nations. However, there remains a glaring contradiction—our civic sense has not kept pace with this progress. While we demand top-notch facilities, we often fail to use them responsibly, leading to chaos, damage, and a disregard for public property that ultimately affects us all.

A recent incident at a train station highlighted this problem when passengers broke windows and doors of a train in their desperate attempt to reach the Mahakumbh. The impatience, lack of discipline, and utter disregard for public property shocked many. A train designed to provide convenience was damaged even before it could complete its service, reflecting the lack of awareness about the collective responsibility required to maintain such facilities. Similarly, chaos erupted at a metro station in Delhi when commuters forced their way in, causing damage to security barriers and creating unnecessary panic. Such incidents are not isolated but part of a larger pattern of negligence and carelessness that undermines India's infrastructural growth.

The lack of civic sense is evident everywhere, from spitting on newly constructed roads and defacing walls to ignoring traffic rules and littering public spaces. Even with CCTV surveillance and heavy fines, people continue to ignore basic etiquette. Take the case of railway stations, where people climb over footbridges instead of using escalators, or refuse to stand in orderly queues. The irony is that the very people who complain about the lack of facilities are the first to misuse them when they are made available.

Public transport, which should be a symbol of discipline and order, often turns into a war zone. In metro stations, people push each other to get inside without waiting for others to exit first. Buses are defaced with graffiti, and newly constructed pedestrian bridges are misused for everything except walking. The worst part is that when officials try to enforce discipline, people react with aggression rather than cooperation. There is an undeniable gap between the infrastructure India is building and the mindset of the people using it.

One of the primary reasons for this lack of civic sense is the absence of proper education on the subject. Civic responsibility is rarely emphasized in schools, and by the time individuals grow up, they have little to no awareness of how their actions affect society. In contrast, developed countries instill discipline in children from an early age, teaching them the importance of keeping public places clean, obeying rules, and respecting public property. The result is a society that collectively maintains and respects its infrastructure, unlike what we see in India, where public property is treated as ‘no one’s responsibility.’

The lack of civic awareness extends beyond just transport and infrastructure. Even in hospitals, government offices, and public spaces, people fail to maintain basic hygiene and discipline. Spitting in corners, throwing garbage outside dustbins, and vandalizing seats and equipment are all common sights. At airports, where world-class facilities are provided, some travelers still flout rules, creating an embarrassment for the nation. In one instance, a state-of-the-art airport terminal was inaugurated with much fanfare, only to be misused within days, with trash littered on floors and toilets left in a deplorable state.

This careless attitude stems from the mindset that public property is not ‘our responsibility’ but belongs to the government. What people fail to understand is that all these facilities are built using taxpayers’ money. When a metro station is vandalized, it is not the government that suffers, but the very people who rely on it for their daily commute. The funds that could have been used for further improvements are instead spent on repairing damage caused by public negligence. When trains are damaged, the service is delayed, causing inconvenience to thousands. It is a cycle where our own actions lead to discomfort, yet we continue to ignore the impact.

Many argue that stricter laws and heavy fines can curb this behavior. While enforcement is necessary, real change will only come when people voluntarily take responsibility for public property. In countries like Japan and Germany, public spaces are maintained with the utmost care, not because of strict policing, but because people consider it their duty to keep their surroundings clean and orderly. In India, however, enforcement is often met with resistance rather than compliance. People argue against fines rather than introspecting on their actions, showcasing an unwillingness to change.

The media also plays a crucial role in shaping public behavior. Unfortunately, many discussions about infrastructure focus only on the lack of government efficiency rather than the negligence of the people. There is little awareness about how individuals can contribute to maintaining public facilities. Campaigns promoting civic sense should be given as much importance as those advocating for infrastructural projects. If we can launch initiatives like Swachh Bharat for cleanliness, why not start a nationwide movement for civic discipline?

There are small signs of progress. Cities like Indore have taken civic awareness seriously, leading to cleaner streets and disciplined public behavior. Some metro stations have started initiatives where volunteers educate passengers about maintaining order. However, these efforts need to be replicated on a larger scale. Without widespread behavioral change, even the best infrastructure will fall into disrepair.

India’s rapid infrastructural development is a matter of national pride, but without responsible usage, these advancements will be short-lived. We demand world-class facilities but continue to exhibit third-class behavior. It is time to bridge this gap by cultivating a sense of collective responsibility. Respecting public property should not be seen as an obligation but as a moral duty. Only when we align our civic sense with the level of our infrastructure can we truly call ourselves a developed nation. The change starts with each individual understanding that every broken window, every act of vandalism, and every moment of negligence ultimately costs us all.