Salem railway division launches ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign

Salem: Salem railway division launched a ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign in the city on Monday. The campaign will go on till October 2.

Divisional railway manager (DRM) U Subba Rao and additional divisional railway manager (ADRM) A Annadurai launched the campaign under the title ‘Swachhta Hi Seva Pakhwara’. Subha Rao administered the Swachhta pledge and organized a walkathon from the divisional office to Salem junction.

Subba Rao told TOI: “During this drive, the division will organize seminars on sanitation and upkeep of railway stations. Similarly, painting and poster competitions on the theme of cleanliness will be organized for school students. Under the theme ‘Swachh Stations’, special focus on cleanliness at all big and small stations will be undertaken. A campaign for ‘fill the dustbin’ and ‘donate a dustbin’ will be taken up to spread awareness among the rail users.”

Under the theme ‘Swachh Railgaadi’, an intensive cleaning and inspection of popular trains will be undertaken by officers and staff on September 21 and 22.

Cleanliness drive will be carried out at work places and residential places on September 23 and ‘Swachh Ahar’ will be carried out on September 24 and 25. Under the theme ‘Swachh Neer’, filter plants, sources of water supply and water taps will be inspected on September 26 and 27.

During the drive, railway officials have decided to collect fine from passengers who fail to cooperate with the railways to keep the station as well as trains clean. “We will collect Rs 300 as fine from those who litter and spit in railway stations and on trains,” Subba Rao said.