ER’s massive cleanliness push clears over 4323.78 MT of Waste
The Statesman | 28 March 2026
Putting efforts for cleaner Railway premises, the Eastern Railway is conducting a massive cleanliness drive at various stations. As a part of the initiative, the ER has cleared 4323.78 Metric Tonnes (MT) of garbage in the last three months from different railway stations under its limits.
According to official railway sources, cleanliness drives have been conducted even in the past years. But the ongoing initiative is different from the previous ones. The zonal railway is clearing what is being termed as a ‘legacy waste.’ Apart from normal cleanliness measures, the zonal railway authorities are emphasising on clearing waste that was dumped for long in or around the station premises. One of the examples is Santoshpur railway station that had wastes heaped near the station building for quite a long time. A similar case involved Tollygunge railway station that saw a massive cleaning drive in the recent past.
According to railway officials, for years, garbage has been a silent passenger on the Indian Railways—an uninvited guest that doesn’t just look bad but creates a chain reaction of problems. Waste build-up is more than just an eyesore; it is a significant hurdle for smooth operations because garbage on the tracks can choke drainage systems, leading to waterlogging during rains, which can potentially delay trains and cause technical glitches. For passengers, it means unpleasant odours, hygiene risks, and a diminished travel experience that takes away from the joy of travel,according to the zonal railway. Given the background, in a major logistical feat over the last three months, the railway has cleared a staggering quantity of 4323.78 Metric Tonnes (MT) of garbage. More specific data reveals that the Howrah division cleared a total of 377.40 MT, while the Sealdah division accounted for 317.00 MT of garbage. Asansol division successfully removed 110.00 MT, and Malda division contributed 102.00 MT to the total.
The industrial workshops played a massive role as well, with the Liluah workshop clearing 1185.65 MT, the Kanchrapara workshop removing a substantial 1682.29 MT, and the Jamalpur workshop managing 549.44 MT, all culminating in the impressive grand total of 4323.78 MT.
According to the Eastern Railway, keeping the railway clean is not just a civic duty but a legal requirement. Under the Railways Act, 1989, specifically Section 145(b) and Section 154, any person found littering or creating a nuisance on railway premises is committing a crime and can be fined or prosecuted.