Indian Railways overhauls train cleanliness rules: Here is what will change

The services will cover cleaning of coaches, toilets and basins, garbage collection, minor repairs, coordination of water refilling and checking and reporting the status of safety equipment

• Railways to deploy tech-enabled teams for onboard train cleaning.
• Cleaning frequency to be regulated and monitored in real time.
• Freight reforms add cargo terminals, dispute resolution.

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In a move aimed at improving passenger experience on long-distance trains, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a major reform to enhance onboard cleanliness through tech-enabled professional teams. Vaishnaw said that under the new system, all coaches, including general class, will be cleaned as and when required, instead of only at designated stations.

Under the existing Clean Train Station scheme, trains are cleaned at specific stops along their routes. However, the minister said the new reform will ensure cleaning throughout the journey at hourly intervals or as needed by trained staff deployed onboard.

"Frequency of cleaning will be regulated based on peak and non-peak hours, and war rooms will be created to monitor the cleaning process with the help of technology," Vaishnaw said.

He added that the initiative will establish clear responsibility and accountability for service providers while engaging professional, self-disciplined and proactive teams aimed at exceeding customer expectations.

Indian Railways just got smarter! Kamakhya Station in Assam is now home to drone-powered coach cleaning operation, launching a new era of hightech, efficient Railway maintenance. pic.twitter.com/02rOlFTTJ2

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The services will cover cleaning of coaches, toilets and basins, garbage collection, minor repairs, coordination of water refilling and checking and reporting the status of safety equipment. Monitoring, feedback and performance management will be carried out in real time using technology, the minister said.

Initially, 80 trains have been identified for implementation of the reform. Based on the experience and feedback, the system will be extended to other trains across the network.

In a separate reform, the minister also announced plans to strengthen the Railways’ freight business by allowing cargo-related infrastructure on spare railway land. Warehouses, grinding units, processing and aggregation units will be developed, while underutilised godowns will be upgraded into Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals.

Efforts will also be made to simplify the migration of sidings and private freight terminals into Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals.

Vaishnaw said a dispute prevention framework has been outlined in the policy, and dispute resolution has been simplified by delegating powers to Divisional Railway Managers.

The twin reforms are expected to improve both passenger comfort and freight efficiency, two key focus areas for Indian Railways.