Major Onboard Service Reform Launched by Indian Railways, ECoR Trains Included
In a significant move to enhance passenger experience, the Indian Railways has selected six prominent long-distance trains operated by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) for its newly announced 'Better Onboard Services' reform initiative. Among the selected services is the crucial Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru Prashanti Express, highlighting the focus on improving cleanliness and passenger amenities across the network.
52 Reforms in 52 Weeks: A Transformative Agenda
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled this ambitious plan on Saturday, marking it as the first initiative under the broader '52 reforms in 52 weeks' strategy. The program aims to systematically overhaul railway services through weekly implementation of specific improvements, with onboard services receiving immediate attention.
The initial phase will see 80 long-distance trains with high passenger footfall across the country undergo these enhancements over the next six months. Railway sources indicate that train selection was meticulously conducted based on comprehensive field inputs and established operational criteria, ensuring the reforms target the most critical routes first.
Comprehensive Cleanliness Overhaul Extends to General Coaches
According to an official statement, the cleaning protocol—which previously focused predominantly on reserved coaches—will now be comprehensively extended to include general coaches. This represents a major policy shift aimed at ensuring equitable service quality for all passengers regardless of their ticket class.
The existing station-based cleaning system will be completely replaced with a continuous cleaning model that operates from a train's origin station to its final destination. This means cleaning teams will work throughout the journey rather than only during scheduled station stops.
Technology-Enabled Professional Teams and AI Monitoring
Professional teams equipped with technology will be hired under Service Level Agreements that clearly define cleaning frequencies, with higher frequency during peak hours and reduced frequency during non-peak periods. These teams will handle continuous toilet cleaning, waste disposal, interior maintenance, and linen management throughout the journey.
Perhaps most innovatively, the reform includes the establishment of control room centers that will monitor cleaning operations through AI-generated images. This artificial intelligence-based assessment system will verify compliance with cleaning standards, with appropriate action taken in cases of identified lapses, according to railway sources.
Integrated Service Delivery and Expanded Responsibilities
During journeys, these teams will continuously address multiple aspects of passenger comfort including toilet hygiene, garbage removal, water availability, and minor electrical or mechanical issues such as faulty lighting. At designated stations, staff typically deployed in reserved coaches will also move into general coaches to maintain comparable cleaning standards across all sections of the train.
"Multi-tasking teams would be deployed to handle minor mechanical and electrical repairs alongside cleaning, enabling integrated onboard service delivery," confirmed ECoR Chief Public Relations Officer Deepak Rout on Sunday, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the reform.
Three-Year Expansion Plan Across All Trains
The 'Better Onboard Services' program is planned for expansion across all Indian Railways trains over the next three years, representing one of the most comprehensive service upgrades in recent railway history. This phased approach allows for systematic implementation while gathering operational data from the initial 80 trains to refine processes before nationwide rollout.
The selection of ECoR's six busy trains—including the strategically important Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru Prashanti Express—demonstrates the railway ministry's commitment to improving services on high-demand routes that serve millions of passengers annually across eastern India.
