Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the general coaches of trains will now be cleaned to the same standard as first-class coaches. Addressing a press conference on railway reforms in New Delhi today, Mr. Vaishnaw said that initially, 80 long-distance trains will be identified within six months for this enhanced cleaning initiative. He stated that dedicated staff will be deployed on these trains to ensure cleaning at intervals of one to one-and-a-half hours.
Mr. Vaishnaw added that continuous cleaning of toilets, garbage bins, and cabins will be ensured. He also stated that linen distribution, collection, packing, and cleaning, which were previously handled by different firms, will now be managed by a single agency to ensure greater accountability and efficiency.
Mr. Vaishnaw said that a total of 124 Gati Shakti cargo terminals are being established within three years, covering 18 states and Union Territories. He stated that these terminals will enhance multi-modal connectivity and reduce logistics costs across the country. The Minister said that Indian Railways has become the second largest cargo carrier in the world.
The Railway Minister emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, around 180 reforms have been implemented over the past decade. Mr. Vaishnaw said that the government has decided to implement major reforms in the railway sector, aiming for 52 reforms in 52 weeks this year.
