Railway Board Unveils Revamped On-Board Housekeeping Service for Enhanced Cleanliness
In a significant move to improve cleanliness and ensure a more pleasant travel experience for passengers, the Railway Board has announced the implementation of a revamped On-Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) policy. This initiative, detailed in a directive issued by Railway Board Director (Environment and Housekeeping Management) Lav Shukla on February 17, will initially be rolled out as a pilot project on five trains in each railway zone across India.
Pilot Phase and Nationwide Implementation
Following a thorough evaluation of the pilot phase, the new system is slated to be implemented nationwide in a phased manner. According to sources, trains from the Northern Central Railway (NCR) zone that have been shortlisted for this pilot include the Prayagraj Express, Humsafar Express, Shram Shakti Express, Bundelkhand Express, and Sangam Express. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NCR, Shashikant Tripathi, confirmed that preparations for implementing the new policy have already commenced, marking a crucial step towards modernising railway services.
Centralised Accountability and Improved Coordination
Under the revised policy framework, full responsibility for coach cleaning, linen management, and on-board passenger amenities will be assigned to a single service provider. This centralised approach is designed to eliminate coordination gaps that often arise when multiple agencies are involved, thereby ensuring consistent and high-quality service from the train's origin to its destination. The move aims to streamline operations and enhance overall efficiency in housekeeping management.
Strict Cleaning Schedules and AI-Based Monitoring
The new policy introduces stringent, time-bound toilet-cleaning schedules to maintain hygiene standards. As per the schedule, toilets must be cleaned every hour between 6 am and 9 am, and again from 8 pm to 10 pm. During the remaining hours, cleaning will be conducted every two hours. To enforce these standards, AI-based tools will be deployed to monitor and assess cleanliness levels. Service providers will be required to upload geo-tagged photographs before and after cleaning through a dedicated mobile application, enabling real-time tracking and promoting transparency in the process.
Focus on Passenger Experience and Modernisation
This initiative reflects the Railway Board's commitment to upgrading passenger amenities and fostering a cleaner travel environment. By integrating technology and centralising management, the policy seeks to address long-standing issues related to on-board hygiene and service delivery. The pilot projects will serve as a testing ground for these innovations, with feedback used to refine the system before its nationwide rollout.
About the Author: Rajeev Mani has been working in TOI's Prayagraj bureau for the past two decades, covering beats from education to excise and taxation to aviation. He has extensively covered events such as Ardh Kumbhs and Maha Kumbhs, along with various assembly and general elections.
