NEW DELHI, SEP 13
Indian Railways is ramping up its commitment to cleanliness with the launch of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ 2024 campaign, marking the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The initiative, running from September 17 to October 2, will culminate on Swachh Bharat Diwas, October 2, in tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board (CRB), emphasized the importance of enhancing cleanliness across all railway stations, trains, railway colonies, and production units. In a recent meeting with senior railway officials, Kumar called for a visible and remarkable improvement in hygiene standards, urging all zonal railways and public sector undertakings to prioritize Swachhata (cleanliness).
“Swachhata Hi Seva is not just a campaign; it is a collective mission involving every Indian citizen,” Kumar stated. “This year’s theme, ‘Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata,’ is a call to reignite our collective action and civic duty towards cleanliness.”
Since its inception in 2017, ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ has seen significant participation and impact. Last year, the campaign engaged approximately 250,000 people across 6,823 railway stations, contributing over 70,000 man-hours of voluntary labour. Activities included large-scale tree planting, waste-to-selfie point creations, and public awareness drives through announcements and street plays.
For 2024, Indian Railways has set ambitious goals, including the identification of 3,857 Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and the organization of 4,666 events on the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ portal. The campaign will focus on several key areas: Swachhata Ki Bhaagidari (Participation in Cleanliness); Sampoorna Swachhata & Swachhata Lakshit Ekayi (CTU-Cleanliness Target Units); and Safai Mitra Suraksha ShivIndian Railways (Safeguarding Cleanliness Workers).
The campaign will emphasize the cleanliness of railway tracks, station areas, drains, toilets, and surrounding colonies. A dedicated day-to-day activity program has been provided to all railway field units to ensure consistent progress and engagement.
This year’s campaign aims to foster a ‘Whole of Society Approach,’ underscoring that sanitation is everyone’s responsibility. With daily updates on the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ portal, Indian Railways invites all citizens and stakeholders to join in the mission to make cleanliness a way of life and honour the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.
