New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, revealed two significant reforms endorsed by Indian Railways as part of its initiative to execute “52 reforms in 52 weeks” during 2026.

He emphasized that reforms should be seen as an ongoing strategy rather than isolated decisions, with the aim of consistently enhancing the railway framework.

According to the Minister, the benefits of persistent reforms are already noticeable, with Indian Railways ranking as the second largest cargo transporter globally.

“The implementation of modern trains and innovative operational practices is underway across the network,” Vaishnaw stated.

Describing the first reform, he noted that starting from 2026, Indian Railways will initiate comprehensive end-to-end cleaning for trains, particularly for long-distance routes.

“Previously, deep cleaning was primarily confined to reserved coaches. For the very first time in railway history, general coaches will be fully integrated into the regular cleaning regime,” the Minister added.

He explained that the earlier “Clean Train Station” model, which limited thorough cleaning to select stations, will be replaced by a continuous cleaning system, active throughout every journey from the train’s origin to its destination.

“The cleanliness of toilets, garbage bins, interiors, water supply, and minor electrical or mechanical issues, like faulty lights, will be addressed during the trip, offering passengers a much cleaner and more pleasant travel environment,” he remarked.

The Minister stated that this reform aims to significantly enhance the passenger travel experience. Following discussions with Zonal Railways, four to five trains per zone—primarily long-distance and high-traffic trains—will be selected for implementation over the next six months.

In the initial phase, 80 trains from various zones have already been earmarked. Over the subsequent three years, the initiative will be broadened to encompass all trains, with selections made by railway managers based on operational needs and ground-level insights.

“Professional, technology-driven teams will be employed under explicit Service Level Agreements defining the frequency of cleaning,” the Union Minister elaborated.

“Cleaning frequency will be elevated during peak hours and reduced during off-peak times. Continuous toilet sanitation, garbage disposal, interior cleaning, linen management, and related services will be guaranteed,” Vaishnaw added.

He further mentioned that linen distribution, collection, and cleaning, which were previously managed by multiple agencies, will now be consolidated and assigned to a single agency.