Indian Railways Swachhata Abhiyan remains restricted to Railway Premises.

Aug 2025 : As part of the ongoing Swachhata Abhiyan, Indian Railway delves into several significant awareness initiative as and when deem required. The Railways ensures the display of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ posters at railway stations as well as inside coaches, to educate passengers on responsible practices for maintaining cleanliness. These posters, placed at prominent locations in stations and trains, remind passengers about the importance of hygiene, proper waste disposal, and their shared role in keeping railway premises clean. In addition to the posters, the railways also emphasise anti-littering measures, ensuring that awareness signage and instructions are available wherever they were not previously displayed. This dual approach of educating passengers both at stations and within trains aims to foster a culture of responsibility and cooperation in maintaining a clean and safe railway environment.

Through these efforts, although the railways continue to reinforce its commitment towards sustainable cleanliness and passenger awareness, however these passenger-friendly initiatives were largely found to be restricted to railway premises, while important superfast express trains are squalid from its origin to its destination.

Recently, on 24^th. August, 2025 – the correspondent was travelling to Secunderabad Junction on board S1 compartment of 12703: Howrah – Secunderabad Falaknama Express, accompanying his better-half, vide PNR No: 6928789771. Immediately upon boarding the train at 07.55 hours, it was found that the lavatory was extremely dirty. A request, to clean the same, was pledged with the janitor staff who, assured to comply with after the train leaves after 08.30 hours. As a frequent traveller the correspondent is versed with the on-board cleaning services, and thus refrains from drinking fluids to avoid visiting the lavatories.

Around 16:30 hours the train reached Khorda Road Junction, when the need for responding to the call was urged. The visible were quite annoying.

• The janitor staff & other staffs had occupied Berth Number 79 & 80 of the same compartment, and were least moved by the littered conditions inside the compartment.

The area between the berths and lavatories were occupied by unauthorised travellers, and their belongings hanged all along the vestibules [picture enclosed].

Moreover, over the last 01-year, Indian Railways have strived to eliminate the gap between platform edges and the train compartment, citing inspirations from several visionary leaderships. But, to utter dismay, the correspondent found a more than 10 inches gap between the edge of Khorda Road Platform, and the platform side boarding gate of S1 compartment. [picture enclosed]

The status-quo remained the same, and the on-board staffs didn’t discharge their basic minimum duties for the rest of the day.

The very next morning situation turned worse to worst. The lavatories were filled with water, making it vulnerable for hygiene. The passengers compromised with the situation, and decided to respond to their call from nature at their destination, as Secunderabad Junction was approaching.

Indian Railways advocates for calling the helpline numbers in case, the compartment needs to be cleaned; but the question is very much loud & Clear – why the on-board passengers need to call such helpline numbers? when it is the moral responsibility of the Railways to ensure a hygienic atmosphere on board to justify its testaments.

Team Maverick