“Cleanliness is a state of purity, clarity, and precision.”
Suze Orman
Imagine stepping into a railway station as clean as a whistle, where you can breathe easily, and your senses aren’t overwhelmed by the stench of garbage and dirt. This used to be the usual case with every Indian train station in the country around 15-20 years ago. Often described as the lifeline of the country since it connects the entire country and influences not only transportation but also the economy, it was infamous for offering the usual sight of platforms bloated with pan spits, dirt, and unhygienic toilets. But with government initiatives and improved passenger habits, things have improved considerably.
One of the initiatives the government has taken is the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and by taking inspiration from it, the railway has its own version called ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat.’ Under the same initiative, it started awarding each train station national rankings according to their cleanliness.
Every year, this ranking builds curiosity and, at the same time, inspires each train station to participate in their lovely cause of getting the crown of being the cleanest. After knowing this, you would want to know which train station takes the crown for being the cleanest in 2023. So, without keeping you guessing, here are the top 5 railway stations awarded the top 5 cleanest railway stations in 2023.
These five train stations stand out as shining examples of cleanliness and hygiene. So, let’s know their background stories.
1. Visakhapatnam Railway Station
Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Visakhapatnam Train Station has been consistent among the cleanest railway stations for many years. It takes cleanliness seriously, and its commitment is displayed regularly in the steps it takes, like in 2021, when it celebrated “Swachhta Hi Seva” Pakhwada and Swacch Parisar (Clean premise) drives. Its focus and commitment have attracted the private sector, and recently it was in the news because Gangavaram Port inaugurated a waste management facility at this railway station. It has contributed an amount of Rs 25 lakh towards promoting the cleanliness of public infrastructure.
The train station in Visakhapatnam is indeed a prime example of a clean, pristine, and hygienic railway station in India. Moreover, looking at its importance since it is a major halt on the Bihar-Chennai line, the centre has begun the reconstruction work that is expected to be complete by 2025. This 446 crore redevelopment work will turn it into a state-of-the-art facility and help it serve 150000 passengers daily.
2. Secunderabad station
Location: Secunderabad, Telangana
The second train station wearing the tag of the second cleanest one in India is Secunderabad railway station. Just like Visakhapatnam takes cleanliness seriously. The station boasts 100% LED lighting, bottle-crushing machines, waste collection systems, bio-toilets, rainwater harvesting, and more. Justifiably, Secunderabad Railway Station proudly wears the prestigious ‘Green Railway Station’ tag. It was the first train station in India to earn this recognition from the Indian Green Building Council.
The station’s sustainable practices include organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides that nurture over 400 plant species across its 13-acre premises. Apart from being a leader in cleanliness, it is also leading the way in the use of sustainable energy. It uses solar power to meet a substantial portion of its energy needs, saving over 70 lakh rupees annually. It’s a shining example of how a railway station can be eco-friendly and hygienic.
3. Jammu Tawi Station
Location: Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
The third train station on our list is Jammu Tawi Railway Station. Situated in northern India, this train station is important as it connects the Jammu and Kashmir state with the rest of India. Apart from the regular tasks like keeping the premises clean, making use of dry and wet dustbins at the premises, and providing spacious and clean toilets, it takes innovative steps to keep itself clean and hygienic. One of the news stories that recently came out from here was that its management joined hands with the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) to launch a special cleanliness drive.
This initiative was part of the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign, highlighting the commitment of both the railway authorities and security forces to maintaining cleanliness. The CRPF officials pledged 100 hours a year to cleanliness drives. This train station showcases the spirit of collaboration and dedication to cleanliness. And this is just one of the various steps it takes towards achieving cleanliness targets.
4. Charbagh Railway Station, Lucknow
Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Smile You are in Lucknow (Muskariye aap Lucknow main hai).
It is not a mere quote, but you will surely smile after visiting this grand station and seeing the cleanliness and hygiene standards it has achieved.
One of India’s biggest and oldest train stations, Charbagh station (100 years old), is also a beautiful and historic monument of the historical city of Lucknow. It is now among India’s top 5 railway stations in terms of cleanliness. This famous and big station, which comprises 11 platforms and 26 tracks, was in the news in 2015 when authorities arrested 117 passengers for spitting under the Swachh Bharat Program. Since then, more hard measures have kept this station among India’s most beautiful and hygienic stations.
Lucknow Station also takes an innovative approach to cleanliness by awarding result-oriented and cost-effective cleaning contracts. Recently, it was in the news that Union Minister Piyush Goyal praised the efforts of Senior Divisional Material Manager Krishan Murari of Lucknow Division. He was described as someone who was instrumental in saving the railways a whopping Rs 11 crore through innovative contract allotment. So it is not only utilizing the government fund for the cleanliness drive but also trying to save money so that it can use it for other important tasks.
5. Vijayawada Station
Location- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
It seems like Andhra Pradesh is leading the way when it comes to the cleanliness of railway stations. After Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada is another station on this list of India’s top 5 railway stations for cleanliness. The Vijayawada Station prioritises passenger hygiene with daily cleaning routines, regular inspections, sanitisation, and proper waste disposal.
They also educate passengers about the importance of maintaining cleanliness in the coaches. The introduction of a biometric attendance system has improved performance and responsiveness, ensuring quick resolution of cleanliness issues reported by passengers.
Recently, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) awarded this station the highest Platinum rating for improving environmental standards and providing passengers with eco-friendly services. It is an upgrade from the station’s Gold rating in 2019.
These five Indian railway stations are immaculate and serve as showcases for extraordinary creativity, dedication, and eco-friendly practices. They offer passengers a smooth ride that is clean and environmentally friendly. These stations serve as the gold standard for a clean, environmentally responsible, and user-friendly train station as India continues its modernization and progress.
So the next time you board a train from one of these stations, stop to recognize the commitment and effort that go into keeping them clean, pristine, and immaculate. Cleaning up is, after all, more than just a virtue at these Indian railway stations in 2023; it is a way of life. All aboard for a cleaner, greener journey!
Feature Image – Canva, Wikipedia
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