Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat programme was launched on Indian Railways on 2nd October, 2014. Regular intensive campaigns/ drives have been organised since then over the Indian Railways with the sole objective to achieve significant and sustainable improvements in cleanliness standards. Last such drive was “Swachhta-Hi-Seva” campaign from 15.09.2018 to 02.10.2018 during which over 5000 stations and all mail/express trains were covered with involvement of over 10 lakh people.
Followings are the measures/ achievements under Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat programme :-
- Provision of mechanised cleaning contracts at 910 stations.
- Provision of washable concrete aprons at stations.
- More than 875 stations have Normal Pay and Use toilets and about 80 stations have Deluxe Pay and Use toilets.
- Rag picking contracts and/or Garbage disposal contracts are available at more than 1280 stations over Indian Railways.
- 166 plastic bottle crushing machines have been installed at 126 Stations.
- Enforcement of Indian Railways (Penalties for activities affecting cleanliness at railway premises) Rules, 2012 has been intensified.
- Use of CCTV is made at 345 stations to monitor cleanliness.
- More than 2,00,000 bio-toilets have been installed in around 55,000 coaches covering about 90% fleet to prevent open discharge of human waste from coaches on tracks.
Following efforts are made by the Railways to spread awareness about cleanliness among railway passengers :-
- Publicity / awareness campaigns through display of posters, banners, distribution of leaflets, printing of slogans in tickets, reservation slips, tender notices etc.
- Announcements over the Public Announcement system.
- Improving awareness on proper use and Do’s /Don’ts of bio-toilets through stickers/ posters, announcements, displaying of models etc.
- Involvement of scouts and guides, Social / Charitable organisations and other NGOs in cleanliness campaigns.
- Arranging ‘Nukkad Nataks’ (street plays) on cleanliness theme in station vicinity.
- “Swachhta-Hi-Sewa” campaign had a major component of involving passengers.
These awareness programmes are of continuing nature, and are undertaken by Divisions/Zonal Railways from time-to-time.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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SVS/MKV/RM