Railway Board identifies 11 long-distance trains for enhanced cleanliness monitoring
The Railway Board has identified 11 long-distance trains with journey durations of more than 40 hours for enhanced monitoring, with particular emphasis on maintaining cleanliness throughout their journeys.
The trains are Vivek Express, Awadh Assam Express, Rani Kamalapati-Agartala Weekly Express, Ahmedabad-Saharsa Express, Danapur-SMVT Bengaluru Express, Pune-Supaul Express, Amrapali Express, Jhelum Express, Rajgir-Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Janta Express, Howrah-Islampur Express and Amritsar-Saharsa Garib Rath Express.
"Cleanliness and upkeep of trains during long-distance journeys is a matter of high priority for Indian Railways," the Railway Board said in a written communication to the general managers of all zones, providing the list of the 11 trains.
The board said the trains had been identified for enhanced monitoring, with particular emphasis on sustained cleanliness throughout their journeys.
"Since these trains remain en route for extended periods, deficiencies in housekeeping, toilets, waste management and minor coach amenities tend to adversely affect passenger experience if not attended promptly," the letter said.
The board has asked the concerned zones to ensure quality monitoring of on-board housekeeping staff, focused attention at nodal stations earmarked for train cleaning, en-route petty repairs, effective functioning of bio-toilets and garbage collection and disposal.
Zonal railway officers have also been asked to review the cleanliness status, passenger complaints and their redressal on a weekly basis.
"Bio-toilets to be thoroughly checked and attended to at the originating/base depot and identified en route locations for their effective and trouble-free functioning throughout the journey," the letter said.
"Special attention to be accorded to en route cleaning at identified Clean Train Station (CTS) points. The owning divisions of CTS points should ensure availability of requisite manpower, consumables and equipment. The efficacy of work executed by CTS team is the responsibility of owning division," it added.
The board directed divisional railway managers (DRMs) to monitor and take responsibility for the performance of their divisions' long-distance trains in providing quality services to passengers.
"Recurring complaint/deficiency shall be analysed for its root cause and suitable corrective action shall be taken without delay. The objective should not merely be improvement at the originating station but sustained cleanliness and serviceability of the train throughout its journey till destination," the letter said.
The Railway Board urged officials to accord top priority to the initiative and ensure strict compliance at all levels.
