BHUBANESWAR, OCT 1
The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has launched a fortnight-long Swachhata Pakhwada, running from 1st to 15th October 2024. This initiative focuses on ensuring cleanliness across railway stations, trains, offices, workshops, maintenance depots, hospitals, and residential areas within its jurisdiction. The extensive cleanliness drive aims to create awareness and inspire collective action towards maintaining a clean and green India.
On the inaugural day of Swachhata Pakhwada, ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal administered the Swachhata pledge to all staff and officers. This pledge emphasized the importance of personal responsibility in maintaining cleanliness, with employees committing to keep their premises clean and encouraging the public to do the same.
Prior to this, from 14th September to 1st October 2024, ECoR celebrated Swachhata Hi Seva under the theme “Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata.” These celebrations will culminate on 2nd October 2024, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, with Swachh Bharat Diwas events across the ECoR network.
As part of Swachhata Pakhwada, ECoR has planned a series of large-scale cleanliness activities designed to engage railway employees, passengers, and stakeholders in sustained cleanliness efforts. These activities include special cleanliness drives at railway stations, onboard trains, in offices, workshops, and residential areas; painting and drawing competitions themed around cleanliness to raise awareness; and awareness campaigns about the hazards of littering at stations and on trains. There will also be a focus on maintaining cleanliness within trains, especially in coaches, toilet blocks, and pantry cars, alongside checks on the cleanliness of water supply installations and the quality of drinking water across stations. Furthermore, ECoR will solicit passenger feedback regarding the quality of food served and the cleanliness of premises and amenities.
The Swachhata pledge taken by ECoR employees includes a commitment to devote 100 hours annually towards cleanliness activities and to encourage at least 100 other individuals to do the same. This initiative echoes Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for a clean India and underscores the need for collective action to maintain hygiene in both personal and public spaces.
East Coast Railway remains dedicated to its mission of achieving cleanliness across all its divisions, aiming to inspire widespread community involvement. With the support of passengers, railway users, and the general public, ECoR is leading the charge towards a cleaner and healthier environment.
