Question : HIGHER UTILISATION OF RAKE CAPACITY

(a) whether the concept of higher utilisation of rake capacity with decreased turn-around time was extended to passenger services as well ;

(b) if so, whether without adequate investments in acquisition of new rolling stock, several daily mail/express train services that earlier utilised four rakes are now being running on three rakes leading to curtailment of stipulated turn-around time for cleaning and maintenance services ;

(c) if so, whether this curtailment of turn-around time has led to dirty trains pressed into service from originating stations; and

(d) if so, the corrective steps being taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS(SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a) to (d) Optimization of rake links of passenger trains is a continuous exercise on Indian Railways for better utilisation of rolling stock assets. In line with pattern of maintenance/running of trains, various cleanliness/hygiene improvement initiatives are put in place, including mechanised cleaning during maintenance in depots, mechanised cleaning attention to identified trains at nominated “Clean Train Stations” during the scheduled halt and an On Board Housekeeping Scheme for frequent cleaning and hygiene attention to long distance trains during their run.