Indian Pole Vaulters Face Travel Delays Over Equipment at Panvel Railway Station

National record-holding Indian pole vaulters Dev Meena and Kuldeep Yadav faced difficulties at Panvel railway station when a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) objected to their carrying pole vault equipment on a train. The athletes were initially asked to deboard and pay a fine, leading to a five-hour delay and missed connections. Indian Railways stated the poles exceeded permissible dimensions and requested booking in the luggage compartment, denying any intent to humiliate. The incident sparked public outrage and calls for clearer policies to support athletes traveling with specialized gear.