Rly panel moots task force for amenities

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Nov. 16

THE reconstituted passenger amenities committee of the Railway Ministry has suggested formation of a three-level task force to ensure better standards of cleanliness at railway stations, in trains, at workshops and other railway installations.

The proposed task force will comprise zonal, divisional and station-levels under the supervision of the additional general managers, additional divisional managers and the station superintendent respectively, an official statement said here on Friday.

The committee headed by Mr Bashisht Narain Singh submitted its first quarterly report to the Union Railway Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar here.

The committee has identified four major areas to be given preferential attention with a view to improve the general environment and cleanliness at railway stations. These include platforms, tracks, toilets and drains.

While asking for proper arrangements and monitoring to ensure proper use of these areas and checking of improper use of the surrounding areas by the general public, the committee has suggested conducting drives at general intervals for penalising people for spoiling cleanliness.

For this the Railways must adopt a two-pronged strategy. The committee has asked the Railways to concentrate on keeping away unauthorised persons from railway premises and also developing necessary techniques for controlling accumulation of wastage within the station premises or in the trains and for regular disposal of wastage at suitable earmarked places.

The committee has also recommended that the Railways seek the cooperation of the passengers through the public address system for maintaining the station neat and clean, introducing pay and use system at all stations and cleaning of trains at stations where the halt is for 15 minutes or more.

The report has noted that passengers spend considerable time at stations and on trains and therefore need effective monitoring, efficient and adequate cleaning as well as proper sanitary management.

The panel has expressed concern over the existence of a large number of unauthorised vendors, coolies and other service providers and functionaries at stations, the statement said.