Lok Sabha Question No. 2336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Cleanliness and Maintenance of Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK, BHARATI DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE OF COACHES

## † 2336.  SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK: DR. BHARATIBEN D. SHYAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  has  failed  to  ensure  cleanliness  and maintenance  of  rail  coaches  despite  making  tall  claims  and increase in fares;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of action plan to ensure cleanliness and maintenance of rail coaches as per the laid down norms?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) & (b) No, Madam. Every endeavour is made to keep the coaches few complaints are received and all efforts are made by the Railways to
- in properly maintained and clean condition. However, a address the complaints.
- (c) Some of the major initiatives taken by Indian Railways towards improvement  of  cleanliness  and  maintenance  of  coaches  are  as follows :
- (i) Cleaning of coaches of trains at both ends, including mechanized cleaning.
- (ii) On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) has been provided in more  than  1000  pairs  of  trains  including  Rajdhani,  Shatabdi
- and  other  important  long  distance  Mail/Express  trains  for cleaning  of  coach  toilets,  doorways,  aisles  and  passenger compartments during the run of the trains.
- (iii) In  'Clean  My  Coach'  scheme, for any cleaning requirement in the coach in trains having OBHS service, passenger can send a message  through  mobile  (SMS)  on  a  specified mobile number.  Alternatively, passenger can also use an android app or webpage for logging the request.
- (iv) 'Clean  My  Coach'  service  is  now  being  upgraded  to  'Coach Mitra'  facility  which  is  a  single  window  interface  to  register coach  related  requirements  of  passengers  such  as  cleaning, disinfection, linen, train lighting, air conditioning and watering of coaches. 'Coach Mitra' facility has been introduced in more than 900 pairs of trains.
- (v) Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme has also been prescribed for limited  mechanized  cleaning  attention  to  identified  trains, including cleaning of toilets during their scheduled stoppages enroute at nominated stations.
- (vi) Regular maintenance and upkeep of all passenger coaches is carried  out  as  per  norms  during  laid  down  maintenance schedules  at  the  Coaching  depots  and  Workshops  to  ensure that  they  remain  in  good  condition.  It  is  also  being  ensured that  all  the  safety  and  amenity  fittings  including  electric fixtures/components in the coaches are in good fettle.
- (vii) Watering  of  all  coaches  is  ensured  at  both  ends  and  at nominated stations enroute.
- (viii) Provision  for  dustbins  is  also  being  made  in  sleeper  class coaches of trains in addition to AC Coaches.
- (ix) Some special measures like running of model rake trains (like Mahamana  Express),  upgradation of identified Rajdhani /
- Shatabdi trains to Swarn Standard, running of Hamsafar, Tejas, Antyodaya  trains etc. have  also been  taken  to  improve travelling experience.
- (x) A  third  party  survey  for  assessment  of  cleanliness  of  210 important trains is presently being carried out.

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