Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh)[India] September 17 : A series of initiatives have been launched by the Railways as part of 'Swachhata Hi Seva' Campaign 2024.
This year is the 10th anniversary of launch of Swachh Bharat Mission. The campaign of Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign, 2024 (SHS 2024) will continue September 17 till October 2.
The theme for 'Swachhata Hi Seva' 2024 is "Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata". It seeks to reignite the spirit of Indian Railways of collective action and citizen participation in cleanliness efforts across India.
Officials said that the Railway Board this year has given a clarion call to implement Swachhata activities on large scale across all zonal railways, division production units and Public Sector undertakings of Railways.
They said priority is being given to Swachhata campaigns and focus is on visible improvement in cleanliness level, not only at the Railway stations, but also in trains, railway colonies and production units.
Officials said focus will be given on cleanliness of Railway track located in areas adjacent to stations, and areas around tracks falling in urban/semi urban areas.
Cleanliness will be done of drains and toilets including 'Pay and Use toilets' in waiting rooms and in station premises, colonies and railway buildings and establishments, they said.
Officials said that during last year's 'Swachhata Hi Seva' - 2023 campaign, around 2.5 lakh people participated at around 6823 railway stations in the campaign with more than 70,0000 man-hours of shramdan.
"We have identified around 500 cleanliness target units across Division this year for taking up cleanliness activity. These cleanliness target units are generally neglected garbage points, difficult to clean as part of regular cleaning operations and pose environmental, health and hygiene risk. In this fortnight cleanliness drive campaign all efforts shall be done to bring out visible improvement," said Narendra A Patil, Divisional Railway Manager, South Central Railway.
"We shall hold massive plantation drive under the mission 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam'. There will be Swachhata Ki Bhaagidari- mass public participation campaigns and SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivirs- health camps for safai mitras and workshops for wellbeing of safai mitras. Our aim is to carry this campaign in full momemtum on a 'Whole of Society Approach' basis with special emphasis on making 'sanitation everyone's business'," he added.