Western Railway has implemented a new initiative to ensure better cleanliness in trains. Under this initiative, Western Railway has started an SMS facility through which passenger of trains having on Board House Keeping Service (OBHS) can send a request for cleaning service.
Train Cleanliness Shield to WR
In keeping with the motto ‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan’, Western Railway has always been in forefront to adopt technology for providing yet better cleaning facilities for its passengers. Railway Board’s prestigious ‘Train Cleanliness Shield’ for Best Performance was bagged by Western Railway for 2014-15 for best cleaning arrangements of its trains.
SMS Based System for Cleaning in Running Trains
To ensure that cleanliness is maintained in the trains during their run, on Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) has been provided on 48 rakes of 23 trains and to include wide spectrum of passengers, additional 29 trains has been identified for inclusion under OBHS.
As an initiative to provide greater facility to passenger, and with an objective to provide a systematic technical solution for passengers to demand cleaning service on board, “Swachh Rail Seva “has been started on all OBHS based trains of Western Railway through SMS to a mobile no., on trial basis. Passengers can request for Housekeeping/Cleaning services at their seats/coaches by simply sending a SMS followed by their PNR No. prefixing the word “Clean” to 09004449990 e.g. “Clean < 10 digit PNR No. >”. This activates an Application to direct OBHS staff on the train to the passenger and monitors the performance of the services by taking regular feedback from the passengers and OBHS staff. The object of this Application is to systemize passengers’ requests for onboard cleanliness and hygiene. It also documents WR’s endeavor to meet the demands of its valued customers.
Clean Train Station
Ahmedabad and Ratlam stations have been identified as Clean Train Station. The activities of cleaning of all long distance enroute trains is undertaken at these stations during their halts. on an average daily 197 coaches at Ahmedabad and 156 coaches of passing trains at Ratlam are being cleaned.
Mechanised Cleaning of Coaches
Mechanized cleaning of coaches is being done in 11 major and medium coaching depots of WR. Light weight machines, branded chemicals/consumables and trained manpower are being utilised for cleaning. Pest & Rodent control is also done in all the depots on Western Railway.