(a) whether the current system of disposal/storage of food plates after use in the train compartments tantamount to unhygienic conditions in the bogies and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Railways is planning to overhaul the aforesaid practice;
(c) if so, the details in this regard; and
(d) the various measures taken/likely to be taken by the Railways for clean and effective waste management in trains?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 349 BY SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 10.08.2016 REGARDING UNHYGIENIC CONDITIONS IN TRAINS
(a) to (d): It is the continuous endeavour of Railways to provide hygienic conditions for the travelling public both on trains and at stations. Pursuant to Catering Policy 2010, Railways have developed and operationalized a Catering Waste Management System for disposal of catering waste. Zonal Railways have been instructed vide Commercial Circular No.45 of 2011 to ensure rigid compliance of the directions on disposal of catering waste by pantry car licencees so that cleanliness and hygienic conditions are maintained in the bogies. All bearers/waiters have been instructed to collect the waste material like empty casserole containers, water bottles/pouches, glasses, cutlery, napkins, etc. from the respective coaches in plastic bags after making service to the customers. In all pantry cars, big size plastic/steel refuse bins are placed at such locations so that they do not contaminate the food process, storage areas and the environment inside. The Pantry car staff have been directed to unload the plastic bags and dump them in the nominated refuse bins provided on the platforms. Further, bearers/waiters have been instructed that they should not throw any material either in the vestibule or in the coach and from the running train.
Railways take various measures for cleanliness of stations, tracks and trains including regular drives. Measures undertaken include special awareness campaigns on proper use of bio-toilets in trains, proliferation of efforts to provide garbage bags, provision of dustbins in new sleeper coaches, action on complaints sent through WEB/SMS, enforcement of Anti-littering rules etc. Sardar Patel United Clean India Drive has also been undertaken with focus on cleanliness of railway stations and trains. Special intensive cleanliness drives at major stations and awareness campaigns to educate users on cleanliness at stations have been undertaken by Zonal Railways. Other steps include a pilot project for disposal of municipal solid Waste being generated at major railway terminals in an environment friendly manner including segregation of waste and conversion of bio-degradable waste to energy. Besides thorough cleaning of coaches of trains during primary maintenance prior to journey, to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in bogies including toilets, On Board Housekeeping Services (OBHS) scheme during run is also being undertaken. SMS/App based “Clean My Coach” scheme has been launched on trains covered under OBHS for redressal of cleaning related issues on these trains. Around 40,000 Bio-toilets have also been fitted on coaches.
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