Matribhumi Samachar English
Satish Kumar CEO & Chairman, Railway Board has instructed All Zonal Railways, Production Units and Public Sector undertakings of Railways should give top priority to Swachhata and focus on visible-remarkable improvement in cleanliness level, not only at the Railway stations, but also in trains, railway colonies and Production Units. In a meeting with senior officers of Railways and nodal offices, He said that 2nd October is observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas as a tribute to the Father of the Nation, on his Jayanti. A fortnight campaign of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ is observed since 2017. We should work to strengthen voluntarism and collective action for Swachhata.
He further said that during last year’s ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ – 2023 campaign, Indian Railways got around 2.5 lakh people participated at around 6823 railway stations in the campaign with more than 70,0000 man-hours of shramdan. Indian Railways organized various activities like massive plantation drive, creation of waste to selfie points, ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ logo/ banners posted on Railways’ website, regular announcement for passenger awareness done regarding proper disposals of waste in trains/stations, Prabhat Pheris taken out with the slogan “Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat” to raise awareness, Nukkad Nataks organized with the help of NGOs, religious bodies and school children at railway stations for awareness of passengers etc.
This year, to commemorate the milestone of the 10th anniversary of the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission, ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ 2024 campaign is being observed from 14th September (curtain raiser)/ 17th September (inauguration of campaign) to 1st October with the theme of ‘Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata’ with Swachh Bharat Diwas celebration on 2nd October.
The theme for ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ 2024, “Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata” seeks to reignite the spirit of Indian Railways of collective action and citizen participation in cleanliness efforts across India. The pillars of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ have been identified which are: –
Swachhata Ki Bhaagidari: Focusing on behaviour change & public participation and mega cleanliness drives with people with focus on community assets like railway platforms, tracks etc.
Sampoorna Swachhata & Swachhata Lakshit Ekayi (CTU-Cleanliness target units): Swachhata Lakshit Ekayi/ CTU are areas which are generally neglected garbage points, difficult to clean as part of regular cleaning operations and pose environmental, health and hygiene risk. Identification of such CTU and its transformation to a clean site.
SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivirs: organization of health camps for safai mitras, sensitization workshops for health & wellbeing of safai mitras.
As the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign rolls out from September 17 to October 2, culminating on Swachh Bharat Diwas, it presents an opportunity for all citizens, partners, and stakeholders to actively participate. Let us collectively renew our pledge to maintain cleanliness, honor the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, and make Swachhata a way of life. This year also Indian Railway is ready for Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. 3857 Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) have been identified and 4666 events have been created on ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ portal so far. Targets have been given to have a massive plantation drive under the mission Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam. A day-to-day activity programme for observing ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ – 2024 has also been provided to all Railway Field Units. Focus will be given on cleanliness of Railway track located in station adjacent areas, and areas around tracks falling in urban/semi urban areas. Cleanliness of drains & toilets including Pay & Use toilets in waiting rooms and in other station premises, colonies, Railway buildings/establishments etc will be done.
Indian Railways would endeavor to carry this campaign in a ‘Whole of Society Approach’ with emphasis on people’s participation making ‘sanitation everyone’s business’. More are being uploaded on ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ portal on daily basis.
‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ is a joint initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (Ministry of Jal Shakti) under Swachh Bharat Mission. Indian Railways also shoulder ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ celebrations this year also.
