Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses sanitation standards in sleeper and general coaches, outlining initiatives for improved cleanliness and waste disposal. This response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4437 details steps taken to provide a hygienic environment for all passengers, irrespective of travel class. The document highlights ongoing efforts and specific measures implemented up to June 30, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Sanitation Initiatives:
* Elimination of direct discharge of human waste via bio-toilets in passenger coaches: 3,33,191 bio-toilets fitted between 2014-2025, a 34-fold increase from 2004-2014.
* Mechanized cleaning of passenger coaches (including sleeper and general) during primary and secondary maintenance at around 200 depots, deploying equipment like high-pressure jet cleaners.
* Implementation of the Clean Train Station (CTS) concept at approximately 60 nominated stations, providing cleaning during scheduled stoppages.
* On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) on around 1350 pairs of long-distance trains for cleaning toilets, doorways, aisles, and compartments during the journey.
* Regular pest and rodent control in all coaches.
* Collection and disposal of waste at approximately 500 designated en-route stations.
Monitoring and Enforcement:
* Special Cleanliness Campaigns under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and cleanliness drives are regularly organized.
* Regular and surprise checks by supervisors and senior officials, with a focus on general class.
* Rail Madad portal for passengers to report issues related to amenities, cleanliness, and security, accessible via mobile app or SMS.
Impact Analysis:
Passengers:
* Impact: Improved cleanliness and hygiene in trains, regardless of travel class.
* Action Required: Utilize the Rail Madad portal to report cleanliness-related issues.
Railway Staff (Cleaning and Maintenance):
* Impact: Increased responsibility for maintaining cleanliness standards and implementing new cleaning technologies.
* Action Required: Implement mechanized cleaning processes, manage waste disposal, and participate in cleanliness campaigns.
Railway Administration (Divisional and Zonal):
* Impact: Oversight and enforcement of cleanliness standards, with regular checks and surprise inspections.
* Action Required: Conduct regular checks, address passenger complaints via Rail Madad, and organize cleanliness drives.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for providing and maintaining railway services.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A national cleanliness campaign by the Government of India to improve sanitation, hygiene and cleanliness across the country.
Rail Madad: A portal and mobile app developed by Indian Railways to enable passengers to highlight their needs and seek assistance on various issues including cleanliness.
Clean Train Station (CTS): A concept implemented by Indian Railways where nominated stations provide limited mechanized cleaning attention to identified trains during their scheduled stoppages enroute.
On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS): A service provided in long distance trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger compartments during the run of the trains.
Biotoilets: Toilets installed in passenger coaches to eliminate direct discharge of human waste from trains.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4437
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
SANITATION STANDARDS IN SLEEPER/GENERAL COACHES
4437. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:
SHRI RAJESH VERMA:
SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:
SMT. SHAMBHAVI:
SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has reviewed the sanitation standards in
sleeper and general coaches of Railways and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken/being taken to improve availability of clean toilets
and waste disposal in long-distance trains;
(c) whether regular audits and cleanliness ranking systems cover
general-class travel experience and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the manner in which Government proposes to ensure parity in
hygiene across all travel classes; and
(e) the manner in which these improvements support health and
welfare of economically weaker rail users ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e) Indian Railways makes every endeavour to provide clean and
hygienic environment to all class of passengers.
--2/--2-
Major initiatives taken in this regard are briefly summarized as under:-
Elimination of direct discharge of human waste from trains through
installation of bio-toilets in passenger coaches. The details of
provision of Bio-toilets (as on 30.06.2025) are as under:
Period No. of Bio-Toilets fitted
2004-14 9,587 only
2014-25 3,33,191 (more than 34 times)
Mechanized Cleaning of passenger coaches including sleeper and
general coaches is being carried out during primary and secondary
maintenance. Machines like high pressure jet cleaners, floor
scrubbers, wet and dry vacuum cleaners etc. are deployed. Around
200 depots have mechanized cleaning contracts.
Implementation of Clean Train Station (CTS) concept at nominated
stations for limited mechanized cleaning attention to identified
trains (including sleeper and general coaches) during their
scheduled stoppages enroute. Around 60 CTS stations have been
nominated.
On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) is provided in long distance
trains for cleaning of coach toilets, doorways, aisles and passenger
compartments during the run of the trains. At present, OBHS facility
is available in around 1350 pairs of trains.
Regular Pests and Rodent control is done in all coaches.
Waste generated inside trains is collected and disposed of at
around 500 designated en-route stations identified for this purpose.
--3/--3-
Special Cleanliness Campaigns under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and
cleanliness drives/campaigns are organized regularly over Indian
Railways with the objective to achieve significant and sustainable
improvements in cleanliness standards.
To ensure cleanliness, regular checks/surprise checks are
conducted by supervisors/senior officials at Divisional, Zonal &
Headquarter level with special focus on general class.
Rail Madad portal has been developed to enable passengers to
highlight their needs and seek assistance on passenger amenities,
cleanliness, security etc, on mobile app or through SMS
irrespective of class of travel.
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