OREANDA-NEWS. Indian Railways always endeavour to improve upon the standards of cleanliness and hygiene in coaches and stations.

 For improving upon the standards of cleanliness in coaches, schemes like ‘Intensive mechanized cleaning’ in maintenance depots, ‘On Board House-Keeping Services (OBHS)’ for cleaning of coaches on run and cleaning attention to trains during their stoppage at ‘Clean Train Stations’ etc. have also been launched. Mechanized cleaning, rag picking and garbage disposal contracts are being awarded for ensuring cleaning of stations including platforms. More and more toilets are being brought under ‘pay & use’ scheme.

 Besides, regular inspections are conducted at various levels to monitor cleanliness in the coaches and at stations.

 Fitment of bio-toilets in new coaches, during manufacturing at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai and Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala has already begun. Retrofitting these bio-toilets on existing coaches running in service has also been started. However, retro-fitment in existing coaches requires very specialized methodology and welding practices. This work can be undertaken only during the major maintenance/periodical Over Haul (POH) in a Railway Workshop. Indian Railways is continuously adapting these exercises in view of experience gained during their field operation, maintenance and usage issues. Tentatively, the cost of retro-fitment is expected to be in the region of Rs. 15 lakhs per coach as of today.