Kolkata : Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 2nd October 2014, has now turned into a National Movement. A sense of responsibility has been evoked amongst the people through this Clean India Movement. The dream of a ‘Swachh Bharat’ visualised by mahatma Gandhi has begun to take shape. Indian Railways, with its extensive nationwide network, plays a vital role in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Like every year, this year also Ministry of Railways is observing Swachhta Pakhwada from 15 September to 2nd October.
Indian Railways in association with Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and Ministry of Jal Shakti has jointly launched Swachhta Hi Seva campaign from 15 September to 2nd October. The activities of Swachhta Hi Seva integrated with activities of Swachhta Pakhwada.
In this occasion of Swachhta Pakhwada on the wake of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, people across India joined one hour Shramdan programme from 10.00 a.m. on 1st October 2023 in response to the clarion call of Hon’ble Prime Minister for contributing towards Swachh Bharat.
In Eastern Railway also, Shramdan programme was organized at different places both at Headquarters level and the in four Divisions – Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol & Malda and Workshops including Liluah, Kanchrapara, Jamalpur & Budge Budge wherein officers & staff took part in the Shramdan programme on 1st October.
Amar Prakash Dwivedi, General Manager, Eastern Railway along with Sumit Sarkar, Additional General Manager and all principal officers of Eastern Railway participated in the Shramdan programme organized at Prinsepghat Railway station this morning.
Dwivedi, General Manager himself with the broomstick cleaned the platforms and Railway tracks from garbage & waste materials. More than 200 participants including officers and staff participated in the Shramdan at Prinsepghat.
Speaking on the occasion, Amar Prakash Dwivedi, General Manager, Eastern Railway said that Swachhta Pakhwada is being observed all over Indian Railways and Eastern Railway is also taking part in the Swachhta Pakhwada and Swachhta Hi Seva campaign in order to boosting the existing endeavours towards making Eastern Railway completely environment friendly zone. Today’s synergistic exercise through Shramdan programme by officers & staff of Eastern Railway will also spread the message of fostering participative cleanliness throughout Railways.
Eastern Railway has also made every effort to ensure successful implementation of this Swachhta Pakhwada and Swachhta Hi Seva campaign aimed at fostering a much greener & eco-friendly Railway system. Railways is an environmental friendly means of bulk transportation as it has always been in the forefront of promoting clean and green environment.
Eastern Railway has taken several initiatives for providing clean environment in & around Railway stations and trains such as bio toilets on coaches leading to clean tracks, segregation of bio degradable/non-bio degradable waste, solid waste management, discourage use of single use plastic etc.
This year the first 15 days from 15 September to 30 September of Swachhta Hi Seva & Swachhta Pakhwada programme, has been observed all over Eastern Railway through different activities earmarked for each day.
Apart from extensive cleaning exercises in areas and stations, tracks, Railway buildings etc. a massive awareness campaign has also been conducted all over Eastern Railway system to spread Swachhta awareness.
