New Delhi, September 18, 2023: Ministry of Railways has launched Swachhata Pakhwada 2023. Smt inaugurated Swachhata Pakhwada – 2023. Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairperson & CEO, Railway Board on 15th September, 2023 by administrating Swachhata Pledge in Rail Bhawan. Swachhata pledge was administered to the entire Railway family, including Railways employees and senior officials of Railway Zones and Divisions connected via video conferencing.
Swachhata Pledge taken by the entire Railway family focused on one’s commitment towards cleanliness, devoting hundred hours per year to cleanliness and propagating the message of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Ministry of Railways is observing Swachhata Pakhwada from 16th September 2023 to 30th September 2023. Ministry of Railways has extended it suo-moto up to 02nd October and has decided to culminate it with Mahatma Gandhi’s Jayanti.
This year, a joint campaign of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Jal Shakti namely ‘Swachhata hi Sewa’ (SHS) Campaign (from 15.09.23 to 02.10.23) is also being celebrated. Activities of SHS have been integrated with Indian Railways’ Swachhata Pakhwada programme.
For Swachhata Pakhwada – 2023, dedicated days have been assigned for activities during pakhwada like Swachh Railgadi, Swachh Station, Swachh Aahar, Swachh Tracks etc. Extensive awareness campaign is also planned to be carried out through digital media/public announcement via PA systems to educate people about using bio-toilets, avoiding single-use plastic, and observing cleanliness habits.
In order to ensure greater participation & more effective outcome of the fortnight, Swachhata Pakhwada Awards have been provided to each ministry by Ministry of Jal Shakti (nodal Ministry) for awarding to field functionaries/ attached offices/ subordinate organizations for exemplary performance during pakhwada period. Previous year Swachhata Pakhwada – 2022 awards were given to the following zonal railways:
- 1st Position: South Western Railway;
- 2nd Position: Western Railway;
- 3rd Position: North Eastern Railway.
Indian Railways is an environment-friendly means of bulk transportation and it has always been at the forefront of promoting a clean and green environment. It has taken several initiatives to provide a clean environment in and around Railway stations and trains such as Bio toilets on coaches leading to clean tracks, segregation of bio-degradable/ non-biodegradable waste, solid waste management, discouraging the use of single-use plastic, etc.
