Mar 11 2015 : The Times of India (Pune)
Railways to spend over Rs 4cr to keep Pune station clean
Pune
People...
more... visiting the Pune railway station can expect garbage-free platforms, clean tracks and overall hygiene from May as the railway administration plans to deploy more cleaning staff and rope in advanced machines for scientific cleaning.
A total of Rs 4.75 crore will be spent in the next two years to keep the station spic-and-span.
Railway officials said the norms of inspection for the contractor will be stricter than before. The checks will be conducted round-the-clock and attendance of cleaning staff will be monitored through CCTV cameras. The contractor will not be paid for days when the premises is found unclean.
The Pune station has six main platforms and separate buildings for reservation, waiting halls and circulation areas.Over one lakh commuters travel every day from the station in more than 150 trains. Commuters often complain that all platforms, expect platform number 1, are dirty.
“The administration is serious about cleanliness and hygiene. Steps have been initiated to keep the station premises clean. Cleaning activities have been outsourced to bring improvement. We have taken a step further by revising monitoring norms for the contractors,“ said an official in the railway administration.
Tenders have been issued for the mechanized cleaning process and the process is expected to be completed in the next two months. The focus is on use of advanced machines. At present, eight machines are used for cleaning tracks and platforms. The new contract will add 6 to 8 new high-quality equipment such as sweepers, flippers, jet machines and multi-function steam cleaners.
The contractors will use biologic agents to clean tracks and aprons for preventing odour and disintegrating excreta.
The on-duty staff will also be increased. About 145 clean ing staff members will work in three shifts instead of present strength of 95.
“The material used for cleaning will be eco-friendly .Health inspectors will carry out the inspection in every shift.The cleaning work will be taken up not only on station premises but also in area up to a distance of 500 meters on both sides of the station,“ an official said.
Authorities, however, said that the contribution of passengers in keeping the station clean is equally important.
Meanwhile, frequent commuters welcomed the administration's cleanliness initiative, but said that consistency is a must.
