Lok Sabha Question No. 2694 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Cleaning of Railway Station in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2694

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## CLEANING OF RAILWAY STATION IN KERALA

2694. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to establish a system for cleaning of the railway station and remove the solid waste in the water stream crossing through the railway station and railway tracks for avoiding blockage;
- (b) if so, the details of action taken thereon;
- (c) whether it comes to the notice of the Government that one of the reasons for  flood  in  Capital  city  of  Kerala  is  the  blockage  of  Amaizhanjan  Thodu crossing the railway track in Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station;
- (d) if so, the details of action taken thereon;
- (e) whether it comes to the notice of the Government that a worker engaged for cleaning the Amaizhanjan Thodu in crossing through the railway track died due to the lack of precautionary measures;
- (f) if so, the details thereof;
- (g) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  compensate  the  family  of  the deceased; and
- (h) if so, the details of action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (h) A Statement is laid on the Table of  House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (h)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  2694  BY  SHRI  N  K  PREMACHANDRAN  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA ON 07.08.2024 REGARDING CLEANING OF RAILWAY STATION IN KERALA (a) to  (h)  :  Indian  Railways  make  every  endeavour  to  maintain  clean  and hygienic  environment  at  Railway  stations  and  in  trains.  Railways  authorities take continuous action for collection and disposal of waste/garbage generated at  all  Railway  stations  and  all  other  Railway  establishments.  Statutory  Rules framed on Solid Waste Management Rules, Plastic Waste Management Rules, Environment (Protection)  Act,  Water  Act etc.  are  strictly  adhered  to  by  Field Units of Indian Railways. Amaizhanjan Thodu/drain is owned, operated and maintained by the irrigation department  of  Kerala  government.  It  is a major  storm  water  drain for Thiruvananthapuram and solid waste is discharged  into it in various parts of the city. The  cleaning  of  the  Amaizhanjan  Thodu/  drain,  including  its  portion  passing under the railway tracks is the responsibility of Irrigation department of Kerala Government and over the years its cleaning has been done by various agencies nominated by the state government.

However, based on the directions of District administration/ Thiruvananthapuram, Southern Railway undertook cleaning work of portion of Amaizhanjan  Thodu/canal  passing  below  railway  land.  Despite  taking  all precautions by Railway, an  untoward incident involving a  contractual  worker took place when he had gone for a feasibility check of the work alongwith his supervisor on the upstream side of canal.

A report of the incident has been submitted to the Commissioner of Workers' Compensation,  Labour  Department,  Government  of  Kerala  to  take  necessary action, including computation of compensation, as stipulated in the Employees Compensation Act, 1923.

The  matter  of  cleaning  of  Amaizhanjan  Thodu  and  related  aspects  is  also subjudice before Hon'ble High Court of Kerala at Ernakulum.

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