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'Urine stains, littered platforms': Indian man calls New York subway 'dirtiest', shares video

An Indian vlogger highlighted dirty conditions at a New York subway station, showing urine, trash, and foul smells in a viral video that drew mixed reactions.

Published on: Jul 26, 2025, 13:09:36 IST
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An Indian travel vlogger has sparked widespread discussion on social media after sharing a video that highlights the grim conditions of a New York City subway station. Posted on Instagram by Nitish Advitiy, the clip has already garnered more than 451k views.

An Indian vlogger's video of a dirty New York subway went viral. (Instagram/nitishadvitiy)
An Indian vlogger's video of a dirty New York subway went viral. (Instagram/nitishadvitiy)

(Also read: Indian traveller calls New York ‘America’s stinkiest city’ after spotting smoke-spewing manholes. Video)

In the now-viral video, Advitiy can be seen walking through a New York subway station, capturing scenes of urine-stained corners, scattered rubbish, and an overall atmosphere of neglect. The visuals are accompanied by an on-screen caption that reads: “New York subway dirtiest subway.”

Check out the clip here:

The caption of the video reads:

“The New York City subway’s reputation for being dirty stems from a combination of factors including heavy usage, ageing infrastructure, insufficient cleaning protocols, and a lack of consistent maintenance. The sheer volume of daily commuters makes it difficult to keep stations spotless, and outdated systems and a lack of investment in upkeep exacerbate the problem.”

Internet reacts

The clip has resonated with many online users, especially those who have had similar experiences with the city's public transport system. One user wrote, “This is exactly what I saw when I visited NYC. The smell in the subways is unbearable, and no one seems to care anymore.” Another commented, “New York is an incredible city, but the subway experience is honestly the worst part of it.”

Several users echoed the sentiment. One stated, “I've been to India and honestly expected worse in NYC. But it was shocking to see such neglect in a first-world city.” Another pointed out, “London and Tokyo manage clean subways with large footfall. NYC has no excuse.”

Still, some viewers came to the defence of the city. One commenter noted, “The subway runs 24/7 and transports millions daily. Of course it won’t be spotless, but it's functional.” Another added, “Every big city has its problems. You can’t judge NYC by one station.”

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More