The Railway Board Chairman acknowledged a number of systemic and structural challenges—comparable to restricted stoppages, extreme workers shortages, funds constraints, and excessive passenger volumes—that hinder efforts to keep up cleanliness. Representational file picture.
| Photograph Credit score: The Hindu
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by senior Congress chief Ok.C. Venugopal, at its assembly on Monday (February 9, 2026) castigated the federal government for what it described as a “caste system” within the Indian Railways, offering higher sanitation services for premium trains whereas neglecting common passenger trains.
The panel was reviewing the Comptroller and Auditor Common of India’s report on “Cleanliness and Sanitation in Lengthy-Distance Trains in Indian Railways” for the yr ending March 2023. The Indian Railways was represented by Satish Kumar, Chairman and Chief Govt Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board.
A BJP member identified that there seems to be a “caste system” in trains, with premium companies such because the Vande Bharat providing superior linen and cleaner coaches in comparison with common passenger trains.
The Railway Board Chairman acknowledged a number of systemic and structural challenges—comparable to restricted stoppages, extreme workers shortages, funds constraints, and excessive passenger volumes—that hinder efforts to keep up cleanliness.
Panel members, nevertheless, contested this justification, in accordance with sources. They famous that these long-standing points ought to have been addressed by now with concrete options. The committee really useful periodic cleanliness audits throughout all zones and directed the Railways to keep up a complete digital dashboard, citing the absence of consolidated knowledge on grievances acquired and resolved. Members additionally burdened the necessity for a uniform passenger grievance redress mechanism. Moreover, they prompt balancing penalties and incentives for zones based mostly on cleanliness efficiency and referred to as for an in depth examine to enhance laundry administration.
Mr. Kumar knowledgeable the panel that, as a part of efforts to make sure cleaner trains, the Railways has launched “quick-watering stations” at a number of places, particularly for long-distance trains with restricted stoppages. The panel really useful a major enhance within the variety of such stations and urged an upward revision of the sanitation funds.
Indian Railways operates 12,541 passenger trains, carrying greater than 17.52 million passengers every day throughout over 7,364 stations.
Printed – February 10, 2026 05:17 am IST
Source link
#castesystem #trains #asks #PAC
