Railways prepares for cleanliness campaign launch on Oct 2

Railways minister Sadananda Gowda directs 13 lakh rail employees to either participate through cleaning stations or spread awareness on cleanliness

Days ahead of the launch of the mega cleanliness drive under the name Swachch Bharat (Clean India) on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian Railways is gearing up for a nationwide roll-out of the scheme at an unprecedented scale.

After a special meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter on September 11, railways minister Sadananda Gowda has directed 1.3 million employees of the transporter to either participate through cleaning stations or spread awareness on cleanliness.

The massive launch would witness all officers of the railway board above the rank of director visiting and cleaning one station.

Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar would visit Hazrat Nizamuddin station, Financial Commissioner Rashmi Kapoor would be at Agra Cantonment while member of the mechanical board Alok Johri has been assigned Safdarjung.

Kumar has advised zonal railways and administrative units to implement the plan which would cover stations, trains, tracks, workshops and even railway colonies. The zonal railways have been given the target of ensuring tracks located between stations are cleared of debris, garbage and plastic waste by 28 September.

“At D and E category stations, a special grant of Rs 1,000 a platform for the campaign day would be provided in addition to regular arrangements for cleaning. Already, 13,238 bio-toilets have been fitted and are running on 4,882 coaches,” the ministry said in a statement.

The drive would include action against persons making premises dirty under the rules prohibiting littering at railway premises.

Besides the railways, Air India’s senior management and employees would also participate in the Swachh Bharat campaign, responding to the call for a Swachh Bharat given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  

A swachhta shapath (cleanliness pledge) would be administered on October 2 to all the airline employees and Air India chairman Rohit Nandan has asked staff to participate whole-heartedly in the campaign.

Indian Railways would organise regular events focused on cleanliness over the next five years. The ministry has selected 50 stations for outsourcing of cleanliness activities. It has also decided that all newly-manufactured coaches would be mandatorily fitted with bio-toilets before they commence operations in 2017.