Bhubaneswar: East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Sunday further strengthened its cleanliness initiatives through intensified monitoring and enforcement across its railway premises, reinforcing its commitment to creating cleaner, healthier and more sustainable railway environments.
As part of its continued cleanliness drive and in line with the objectives of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026, ECoR recorded 3,028 cases and collected Rs 5.89 lakh in fines during August 2026 for activities affecting cleanliness at railway premises. The figures are higher than those recorded in July 2026, when 2,302 cases were booked and Rs 4.41 lakh was collected.
The increase reflects enhanced vigilance and more intensive enforcement by ECoR to promote responsible behaviour among passengers and other stakeholders. Regular monitoring is being undertaken to discourage littering and other activities that adversely affect the cleanliness of railway stations and premises.
According to the monthly report, the Commercial Department recorded 636 cases and collected Rs 1.27 lakh, while the Railway Protection Force (RPF) recorded 2,392 cases and collected Rs 4.625 lakh across the Khurda Road, Rayagada and Sambalpur divisions during August 2026.
Among the three divisions, Khurda Road Division recorded 2,203 cases, with fines amounting to Rs 4.526 lakh, followed by Rayagada Division with 404 cases and Rs 62,800 in fines, and Sambalpur Division with 421 cases and Rs 74,100.
The enhanced enforcement forms an important part of ECoR’s broader cleanliness strategy, under which monitoring, awareness and public participation go hand in hand. The objective is not merely to impose penalties but also to encourage behavioural change and build a stronger sense of responsibility towards keeping railway premises clean.
In parallel with cleanliness enforcement, ECoR has also strengthened drinking water quality monitoring and sanitation measures across railway stations and colonies. In this regard, a special drive was conducted from August 18 to September 3, 2026, for rigorous checking of water quality across 175 railway stations and 160 railway colonies.
Following the special drive, ECoR continues to conduct surprise water quality checks and regular cleaning of water tanks and water coolers at railway stations across the zone to ensure that prescribed water quality parameters are maintained.
The initiatives complement the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign, being observed from September 17 to October 2, 2026, under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag: Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat.” The campaign places strong emphasis on Jan Bhagidari, behavioural change, responsible waste management and sustainable cleanliness across stations, trains, offices, colonies and other railway establishments.
ECoR is undertaking a wide range of cleanliness activities, including Swachh Stations and Swachh Railgaadi drives, cleaning of drains and toilets, waste segregation at source, Solid Waste Management awareness, “Say No to Plastics” campaigns and clearance of legacy waste.
The railway administration is also encouraging passengers, railway employees, vendors and other stakeholders to become active partners in maintaining clean railway premises. Increased enforcement is therefore being used as a supportive measure alongside awareness and public participation to create greater accountability and encourage sustained behavioural change.
