Like a moving city that must tidy itself between stations, India’s rail network is turning to technology to keep its wheels — and floors — clean.
Cleanliness on the Move
Ministry of Railways has unveiled a reform to enhance hygiene standards on long-distance trains by deploying tech-enabled professional teams onboard. Announcing the initiative in New Delhi, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said all coaches — including general class — will now be cleaned as and when required during the journey.
The move shifts responsibility squarely onto designated service providers, with clear accountability and the deployment of trained, disciplined and proactive teams expected to exceed passenger expectations. Under the existing Clean Train Station scheme, trains are serviced at select stations en route. The new system, however, mandates onboard cleaning at hourly intervals or as needed, ensuring maintenance throughout the journey rather than at fixed halts.
Monitoring, feedback and performance management will be conducted in real time through technology-backed systems. The services will cover cleaning of coaches, toilets and basins, garbage collection, minor repairs, coordination of water refilling, and checking and reporting the condition of safety equipment. Supervisors and trained staff will manage operations 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.
Eighty trains have been identified for the initial rollout, with plans to extend the reform across the network based on operational experience.
Cargo Push on Spare Land
Alongside the cleanliness drive, the minister announced a second reform focused on boosting freight operations. The Railways will permit development of cargo-related facilities on surplus railway land, including warehouses, grinding units, and processing and aggregation centres.
Underutilised godowns will be upgraded into Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals and related logistics hubs. The ministry also aims to simplify the migration of existing sidings and private freight terminals into these terminals through streamlined procedures.
To reduce litigation and delays, a dispute-prevention framework has been introduced, with resolution powers delegated to Divisional Railway Managers — a move intended to speed up decision-making and improve ease of doing business.
As trains race across the tracks, the Railways is seeking to ensure that progress travels cleaner and cargo moves faster.
Summary
The Railway Ministry has launched a reform to improve cleanliness on long-distance trains by deploying tech-enabled professional teams for onboard, real-time cleaning. Initially covering 80 trains, the plan ensures accountability and technology-driven monitoring. A parallel reform allows cargo facilities on spare railway land, upgrades godowns into Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals, and simplifies dispute resolution.
