Lok Sabha Question No. 349 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Unhygienic Conditions in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.349 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## UNHYGIENIC CONDITIONS IN TRAINS

*349. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  current  system  of  disposal/storage  of  food  plates  after use in the train compartments tantamount to unhygienic conditions in the bogies and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Railways is planning to overhaul the aforesaid practice;

(c) if so, the details in this regard; and

(d)  the  various  measures  taken/likely  to  be  taken  by  the  Railways  for clean and effective waste management in trains?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 349 BY  SHRI  MAHEISH  GIRRI  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA ON 10.08.2016 REGARDING UNHYGIENIC CONDITIONS IN TRAINS (a) to (d): It is the  continuous endeavour of Railways  to provide hygienic conditions for  the travelling public both on trains and at stations. Pursuant to  Catering  Policy  2010,  Railways  have  developed  and  operationalized  a Catering Waste Management System for disposal of catering waste.  Zonal Railways have been instructed vide Commercial Circular No.45 of 2011 to ensure rigid compliance of the directions on disposal of catering waste by pantry  car  licencees  so  that  cleanliness  and  hygienic  conditions  are maintained  in  the  bogies.    All  bearers/waiters  have  been  instructed  to collect the waste material like empty casserole containers, water bottles/pouches, glasses, cutlery, napkins, etc. from the respective coaches in plastic bags after making service to the customers. In all pantry cars, big size plastic/steel refuse bins are placed at such locations so that they do not contaminate  the food process, storage areas and the environment inside.  The Pantry car staff have been directed to unload the plastic bags and dump them in the nominated refuse bins provided on the platforms. Further, bearers/waiters have been instructed that they should not throw any material either in the vestibule or in the coach and from the running train. Railways take various measures for cleanliness of stations, tracks and  trains  including  regular  drives.  Measures  undertaken  include  special awareness campaigns on proper use of bio-toilets in trains, proliferation of efforts  to  provide  garbage  bags,  provision  of  dustbins  in  new  sleeper coaches,  action  on  complaints  sent  through  WEB/SMS,  enforcement  of Contd..2/-

Anti-littering rules etc. Sardar Patel United Clean India Drive has also been undertaken with focus on cleanliness of railway stations and trains. Special intensive cleanliness drives at major stations and awareness campaigns to educate users on cleanliness at stations have been undertaken by Zonal Railways. Other steps include  a pilot project for disposal of municipal solid Waste  being  generated  at  major  railway  terminals  in  an  environment friendly  manner  including  segregation  of  waste  and  conversion  of  biodegradable  waste  to  energy.  Besides  thorough  cleaning  of  coaches  of trains during primary maintenance prior to journey, to maintain hygiene and cleanliness  in  bogies    including  toilets,  On  Board  Housekeeping  Services (OBHS) scheme during run is also being undertaken. SMS/App based 'Clean My Coach' scheme has been launched on trains covered under OBHS for redressal  of  cleaning  related  issues  on  these  trains.  Around  40,000  Biotoilets have also been fitted on coaches.

****