Swachhata Pakhwara (Fortnight) Cleanliness Drive by SCR Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager administers pledge for Cleanliness; Massive Shramdaan to be taken up in a big way on 17th September, 2019
The Swacchata Pakhwara (Fortnight) Cleanliness drive has been undertaken by South Central Railway with the Swachhta Pledge administered by Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager Pledge to Officials and Staff at SCR Head Quarters, Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad today i.e., 16th September, 2019.
The “Swachhata Pakhwara” is being observed from 16th September to 2ndOctober, 2019 leading to culmination on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, which would be observed as Community Service day, involving participation of all stake holders.
A Signature Campaign was also launched today by the General Manager to bring awareness and reiterating commitment towards practicing Swachhata program. Shri John Thomas, Additional General Manager, SCR, Principal Heads and other senior officials were also present.
Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister had specially desired that Indian Railways should lead this initiative. Hon’ble Rail Minister had been monitoring the reports of several such drives being uploaded on E-Drishti and other dashboards.
In the All India third party survey report on Railway Station Cleanliness conducted by Quality Council of India in 2018, South Central Railway registered a significant improvement in the overall ranking amongst all Zones on Indian Railways, moving to the 2nd position. Indian Railways had won the Best Union Ministry Swacchata award for 2018-19 for the serious efforts towards inculcating cleanliness in its work culture. Tirupati Railway Station of Guntakal Division/SCR was adjudged as the 3rd Best Cleanest Railway Station on Indian Railways.
As part of “Swachhata Pakhwara”, South Central Railway will undertake “Massive Shramdaan” across the Zone on 17th September, 2019 with main focus on “Collection of Plastic Waste” to eliminate the plastic pollution in railway premises.
Activities to be taken up during Massive Shramdaan:
·Apart from cleanliness, plastic will be collected from all railway premises including platforms/ trains/ tracks/ schools/ hospitals/ colonies. Particular attention will be given to approaches to stations.
·It is planned to distribute cloth bags in large numbers to use in place of plastic carry bags.
·Bins for “Plastic only” at prominent places will be provided.
·Awareness campaigns through nukkad nataks, display of posters, audio/video messages will be carried out for creating an impact against usage of plastic.
·Replacements/ Substitutes for plastic items such as plastic spoons/bags/straws, plates cups etc will be displayed at prominent places to educate people to adopt alternative measures and uses of biodegradable material.
·Recyclable Plastic will be channelized to waste recyclers for further disposal as per the rules.
SCR has provided 54 Plastic Bottle Crushing machines at 35 major stations to ensure disposal of plastic bottles and similar machines will be shortly provided at many other stations. South Central Railway has been focusing on discouraging the usage of single use plastic by rail users in its premises and trains. only recyclable plastic not less than 50 microns is permitted for use as per Plastic Waste Management Rule 2016 (Amended 2019). Instructions were issued to all the divisions on Plastic Waste Management. Campaigns are also being conducted to create public awareness on removal of plastic waste.
Continuous effort is being made by SCR towards environment sustainability measures like Effluent treatment plants, Water Recycling Plants, Water Conservation Measures like Rain water harvesting at various places, Rejuvenation of water Wells and ponds, solid waste management, air pollution monitoring, conservation of energy like providing LED light and using solar power etc. Huge plantation programmes were organised over the Railway.The ensuing “Swachhta Pakhwara” will see a host of activities including Swachh Awareness, cleanliness dialog with public, clean trains, clean stations, community day, clean workplace, clean residential premises, clean food, clean water, clean toilets etc.
