Indian Railways Enhances Cleanliness Inspections on Long-Distance Trains, Including Vivek Express and Jhelum Express
Long-distance train journeys in India are set to see improved cleanliness measures as the Railway Board has announced a new plan targeting trains that take over 40 hours to complete their routes. Eleven specific trains have been selected for this initiative, which mandates staff to document cleanliness through timestamped photographs of coaches and toilets at various points during the journey.
Enhanced Monitoring and Maintenance
The depots responsible for these long-distance trains will intensify their oversight of cleanliness and maintenance. Zonal railway officials will review passenger complaints weekly and assess the actions taken to address them. The performance of on-board housekeeping services will be evaluated based on feedback received through Rail Madad, the official digital platform for passenger grievances.
On-board housekeeping staff will receive training for minor repairs. Dedicated teams, including plumbers and electrical personnel, will be deployed along the routes to quickly address maintenance issues. Special attention will be given to cleaning at designated ‘clean train station’ points, ensuring that adequate manpower, equipment, and consumables are available.
Waste Management Initiatives
In addition to cleanliness, Indian Railways is implementing a comprehensive waste management system for both railway stations and trains. Twin dustbins have been installed at stations to facilitate waste segregation at the source. Waste generated during journeys will be collected at designated waste-handling stations, which collaborate with local municipal authorities for proper disposal.
To comply with the new Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, Indian Railways has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for solid waste management across its operations. This includes guidelines for waste segregation, collection, processing, and disposal, along with monitoring arrangements and defined responsibilities at various administrative levels.
Zonal Railways are identifying bulk waste generators and planning studies to assess the volume and composition of waste produced. Dedicated nodal officers have been appointed to create waste management plans and conduct audits, while Environment & Housekeeping Management departments have been established to oversee these initiatives. Indian Railways currently provides on-board housekeeping services on 1,450 pairs of long-distance trains, and the Clean Train Station scheme operates at 63 stations, covering 2,800 trains.
