The 14-coach train is supposed to be launched by Indian Railways on April 10. This would showcase the efforts done by the Indian government regarding cleanliness, and to also generate greater awareness towards cleanliness and hygiene.
As stated by the Modi government, the aim of the Swachh Bharat Mission is to achieve the vision of a "Clean India" by October 2, 2019, the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, and the government will use it to leverage this historic occasion to build a clean India.
The Swachhagraha Express will exhibit various aspects of the cleanliness drive and its benefits, and will travel to 60 stations across the country in 6 months.
According to the plans, the Swachhagraha Express will mostly touch remote stations. Its itinerary is now being finalised. The train’s journey is expected to coincide into Modi’s pet Swachh Bharat Mission.
The coaches of the train will feature the detailed account of the milestones and achievement of the government under Swachh Bharat Mission, and subjects such as sanitation, hygiene, and water will be elaborated upon.
There will be messages on cleanliness, hygiene, adverse effects on the environment due to open defecation, and the importance of clean water for adults and school children during the six-month journey.
There are various others measures taken by the government to maintain cleanliness at the stations and the rail tracks, the state-run transporter has also made operational a "Swachh Rail" portal to showcase cleanliness rankings of various stations, and the methodology adopted for the rankings.
Moreover, other steps such as replacing existing toilets in trains with bio-toilets and preventing open discharge on tracks are some of the measures taken to keep rail premises clean.
