Leading the campaign from the front, Hon’ble Minister for Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu launched Swachhta Saptah under the Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Mission from New Delhi Railway Station today(17.9.2016). In order to spread wider awareness on sanitation and cleanliness in rail premises and make hygiene a habit amongst the travelling public, the Indian Railways is organizing a special nine-day long public outreach programme scheduled from 17th September to 25th September 2016. Stating that this day coincidentally marked the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shri Prabhu said that it is befitting that the Swacchta Saptaah should commemorate his lofty vision and goals. Commencing the Swachhta Saptaah today (17th September 2016) as Swacch Paryavaran Diwas(Clean Environment), the Hon’ble Minister spelled out the Railway’s commitment by recounting the initiatives taken under the Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Mission. He also felicitated railway employees Shri Jagdeep Hooda, Coach, Indian Boxing Team & Shri Lalit Mathur, Athlete Player of the Indian Relay Team at Rio Olympic 2016 on the occasion. Lending their valuable presence to this cause, the sportsmen who were honored participated with enthusiasm accompanied by cheers and gusto from Railway officials and crowd of rail passengers at the venue. Commencing with ceremony on a big note and with great enthusiasm General Manager, Northern Railway Shri A.K.Puthia launched the the Swachhta Saptah today at Dehradun station. Various activities held at the station include Nukkad Natak by Scouts and Guides, Cleanliness drives and awareness campaign by SNCF Volunteers. He inspected equipment, materials & machines used for cleaning at stations & in trains and interacted with passengers and with press and media.
In keeping with the program, Indian Railways undertook intensive cleanliness drives on all stations. All stations wore the ceremonial look with posters and banners spelling the message loud and clear to the travelling public that the Railway is their travelling home. Railway officer and staff donned the ceremonial caps interacting with the travelling public and conducting inspections at station premises. Anti-littering slogans were posted at various locations. Dustbins for garbage were provided and awareness programmes were undertaken. All major stations on the Northern Railway were inspected by all levels of hierarchy from top executives and supervisory cadres. A drive on garbage handling and disposal was also undertaken at railway stations, Trains and Depots. Tree plantation ceremonies were held at various places. Earmarking each day with specific focus area for spruce-up, the cleanliness programme has certain defined thrusts like Swachh Stations (Clean Stations), Swachh Rail Gaadi(Clean Train), Swachh Neer(Clean Water), Swachh Parisar(Clean Complex), Swachh Sahyog(Cleanliness Participation), Swachh Samvad (Cleanliness Dialogue), Swachh Samarpan (Dedication for ensuring Cleanliness), Swachh Aahar (Clean Food) upto 25th September 2016. Indian Railways is committed to continue this Cleanliness drive on sustained basis. The Indian Railways appeals to all rail users to express their solidarity through greater public support and an active public co-operation to make the Railways a place of pride and rail journey a pleasant experience.