OBHS introduced

Western Railway has introduced the (On-board House Keeping) OBH service in 27 trains, including 14 trains in the Mumbai Division. Under the new services, one janitor will be deputed for every three reserved coaches during the entire journey of the train. The crew will include a supervisor and six janitors.

Speaking to CIJ, Shyam Sunder Gupta, CPRO of Western Railway, said, “The OBH service was started in March this year. We have been receiving a good response. The passengers are not only happy with the behaviour of the housekeeping staff but also with the improved levels of cleanliness. The prime objective of this service is to give improved customer satisfaction and a cleaner environment to the passengers.

“We have identified 27mail/express or long-distance trains, which are having a train-journey time between 10 to 36 hours at a stretch. These long distance trains are generally cleaned and washed with high-pressure jet cleaning machines at the terminal stations. The compartments are thoroughly cleaned and mopped, then sprayed with mosquito repellant and finally, the floors and toilets are deodorised.”

There are 12 toilets for every three coaches. Besides periodical cleaning of toilets, the OBH staff will sweep the passages, clean the washbasins and the aisle. The contact number of the housekeeping staff will be made available and the TTEs can also be contacted.

“We have also asked the housekeeping agency to collect the feedback forms from the passengers. The contractual payment will be decided on the basis of the services they offer. We are trying to introduce a fool-proof system with this service,” said Gupta.

Some of the trains covered under the OBH are Saurashtra Mail, Firozepur Janta Exp, Paschim Exp, BDTS-NZM Garib rath Exp, Avadh Exp, Saurashtra Janta Exp, Dehradun Exp, Maharashtra Sampark Kranti Exp, Surat – Bhagalpur Exp and Yuva Exp.