Indian Railways, with its extensive nationwide network, plays a vital role in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Ministry of Railways is observing Swachhata Pakhwada from 15.09.23 to 02.10.23 with every effort to ensure the successful implementation of this campaign, aimed at fostering a much greener and more eco-friendly railway system.  This year, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and Ministry of Jal Shakti has also jointly launched ‘Swachhata hi Sewa’ (SHS) campaign (from 15.09.2023 to 02.10.2023) of which Ministry of Railway is also a part. Activities of SHS are integrated with day to day activities of Swachhata Pakhwada. The theme for Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign 2023 is ‘Garbage Free India’. With all such zeal and guidance of Prime Minister, Indian Railways has witnessed a paradigm change in cleanliness level when compared to prior to year 2014.

Railways is an environment friendly means of bulk transportation and it has always been in the forefront of promoting clean and green environment. It has taken several initiatives for providing clean environment in and around Railway stations and trains, such as Bio-toilets on coaches leading to clean tracks, segregation of bio-degradable/non bio-degradable waste, solid waste management, discouraging use of single use plastic etc.

Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign 2023 and Swachhata Pakhwada 2023 was inaugurated by Chairperson & CEO, Railway Board on 15th September, 2023 by administration of Swachhata Pledge in Rail Bhawan.

 

During Pakhwada, day-to-day activities like Swachh Samwaad, Swachh Railgaadi, Swachh Station, Swachh Parisar, Swachh Aahar, Swachh Parsadhan etc. are being undertaken every year. This year, special focus is being given on cleanliness of tracks at stations, approach to major stations and elimination of plastic waste in Railway premises.

In this year, during the first 14 days (i.e. 15.09.23 to 29.09.23) of SHS campaign, more than 2.14 lakh people have participated in around 1934 activities with man- hours of 662990 in the campaign which includes whole-hearted participation of passengers and other stakeholders. 

Indian Railways has taken up various activities like SHS logo and banners being posted on Railways’ website, announcement in trains/stations for proper disposals of waste in trains/stations for passenger awareness, Prabhat Pheris being taken out with the slogan “Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat” to raise awareness, Nukkad Nataks organized with the help of NGOs, Religious bodies and School children at railway stations for awareness of passengers. People are encouraged to desist from open defecation in areas approaching stations, on track, in yard or depot premises, through IEC, cleanliness awareness campaign organized on use of bio-toilets, Anti-littering notices displayed, Do/Don’t posters displayed for passengers on cleanliness, Dry and Wet waste bins in line with the Hara Geela Sookha Neela campaign, Repair, painting, cleaning and branding of all sanitation assets like litter bins, public toilets, dhalaos, waste transport vehicles, Material Recovery Facility
(MRFs) etc in the station area, cleaning of railway tracks under the campaign of ‘Har Patri Saaf Suthri’, intensive cleaning of residential premises (Railway Colonies, Retiring/Waiting Rooms, Running Rooms, Rest House and Dormitories canteens, food stalls in and around station premises, Creation of waste to selfie points etc.

Wagon Repair Depot (WRD), ADRA has transformed a garbage dumping area into a garden with flora and fauna
A sculpture depicting earth in the grip and pressure of plastic waste has been created at Bengaluru station with waste plastic bottles collected in 10 hours time at KSR Bengaluru Station on 15-09-2023.

 

Ministry of Railway has plans to conduct a massive cleanliness drive led by people on 1^st October, 2023 at 10:00 AM with the volunteers contributing at least one hour of Shramdaan as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Around 20,000 events have been planned over all Indian Railways for this mega cleanliness drive. Dignitaries, noted celebrities, Social Media Influencers are being invited to contribute Shramdaan in mega cleanliness drive. These activities can be also tracked on SHS-2023 portal at www.swachhbharatmission.gov.in

 

***

YB

(Release ID: 1962011) Visitor Counter : 1253