India's Record Pole Vaulter Sparks Railway Policy Change

When Dev Kumar Meena returned from breaking his own national pole vault record in Germany, he didn't expect a railway platform to become his biggest obstacle.

The 20-year-old champion and his coach Ghanshyam were stopped at Panvel Railway Station in January 2026, told their fiberglass poles couldn't board the train. After nearly five hours of pleading and showing medals, participation certificates, and even a government letter, they finally paid ₹1,875 from their own pockets to continue home.

The poles at the center of the dispute are nearly five meters long and cost ₹2 lakh each (about $2,400). Sending them in the luggage compartment risks breaking these delicate fiberglass tools. Athletes typically place them carefully above fans in train compartments where they can monitor them for both safety and theft prevention.

Railway officials explained they were following standard protocol for oversized luggage. The initial demand was ₹8,000, later reduced after intervention from Olympic athlete and railway sports officer Ranjit Maheshwari and his wife, former pole vaulter V.S. Surekha.

Dev had just set a personal best of 5.40 meters at the World University Games and was traveling with teammate Kuldeep, who had also set a meet record. Missing their train and losing hours of travel time was frustrating, but Dev saw a bigger problem.

The Ripple Effect

Dev's experience went viral on social media, sparking conversations about how India treats its athletes. But rather than just complaining, the young champion made a specific request: create clear guidelines for transporting athletic equipment like poles and javelins, similar to existing travel arrangements for athletes.

His coach Ghanshyam, who holds an international Level-1 coaching certification and is pursuing a PhD in Physical Education, emphasized they weren't targeting any individual. They simply want future athletes to avoid the same disruption to their focus and preparation.

The response has been promising. Railway officials clarified they respect athletes and never intended to hurt anyone's sentiments, opening the door for policy discussions. The incident has highlighted a genuine gap in infrastructure support for sports development.

If this can happen to a national record holder returning from international competition, junior athletes face even greater challenges navigating India's transportation system with specialized equipment.

The conversation Dev started could smooth the path for thousands of athletes who travel India's railways with javelins, poles, and other essential gear, turning one frustrating day into lasting positive change.