Mumbai: While all zonal railways are working hard to make their division look the cleanest as part of Swachhta Pakhwada (cleanliness fortnight), the Western Railway (WR) has found a unique method to motivate their staff. The WR has announced it as a competition and prizes will be given for the best station, best train, best toilets and best food stalls.
The drive was inaugurated on August 16 and will end on August 31. It is not limited to the stations and trains, but there will be a check on the houses of officials and their areas. The A1 and A stations will be checked thoroughly, and cleanliness of linen, toilets, and seats will be taken into account at the time of deciding on the prizes.
“We have set up a dedicated team to oversee the work and they will ensure cleanliness at its best,” said an official from the WR. Besides, officials who have done good work throughout the year will be awarded after the Pakhwada. The Pakhwada will also be monitored through CCTV cameras. The footages will be sent to the Railway Board as a comprehensive report.
The official said all efforts should be made to ensure at least one platform at important stations to be litter-free. The use of plastic should be discouraged. The cleanliness drive includes working on number of dustbins required, on-board cleaning of coaches, quality of linen, toilets, washing lines, waiting rooms, rest rooms, pantry cars and base kitchens, hospitals, schools, canteens and stalls. A committee has been formed to judge the cleanliness between August 26 and August 30.
Saurabh Prasad, additional divisional railway manager, WR, said it was DRM Mukul Jain’s idea to inculcate a spirit of healthy competition in staff and contractors. “This will spur our division towards Swachch rail. Accordingly, we shall judge our stations, trains, food stalls, toilets, offices, maintenance units and colonies on various parameters of cleanliness and housekeeping. We shall also recognise employees doing commendable work.”
