The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) station in Mumbai has been conferred with the ‘Clean Station’ award from among 477 railway stations across the Central Railway zone. A committee comprising of senior railway officials inspected tracks, platforms, retiring rooms, drainage systems, surrounding areas, booking halls, toilets and even offices at the railway stations. The survey of the railway stations was held during the 56th Railway Week celebration.
Speaking to Clean India Journal, A K Singh, PRO-CR, said, “The CST station is most bustling of all stations. There are seven platforms for suburban and 11 for mail/express trains at this station. The station records the highest footfall, and a record number of trains ply on its tracks everyday. The greatest challenge is managing the filth and garbage generated here because of the large numbers of commuters. It is a matter of great pride that the historic station of CST has received the cleanliness shield. Our efforts are on to maintain the cleanliness at other stations as well.” CST was last given the cleanliness award way back in 2003.
Kul Bhushan,the General Manager of Central and Western Railway awarded CST stationmaster with a cash prize of र5,000 along with a memento. The second prize for overall cleanliness was given to Sevagram station, Nagpur.
The Central Railway has taken several initiatives to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. It began the On Board Housekeeping Services on long distance train to curb littering within the train and on the tracks. Last year onwards the reserved coaches on several outbound trains are being maintained by housekeeping service providers. Singh said, “We have covered eight trains so far under this scheme and 11 more are under process. Once these trains are covered, 19 more are lined up to be serviced by such ‘clean-up marshals’ or housekeeping staff.”The housekeeping staff are trained to meet the specific parameters of cleanliness. “Any complaint made by the passenger is documented as a record.”
