RAILWAY SAMACHAR

Clean up act: WR to fine, jail litterbugs

MUMBAI: The next time you decide to conveniently push a wrapper out of the narrow grille of a suburban train, splatter chewed paan aimlessly on a platform, or drop leftovers on the train floor, stop. Western Railway (WR) has decided to start a cleanliness drive where you can be fined, jailed or both, for any of the above offences.

Besides allowing the RPF to take action against offenders (after they are produced before a court), WR is is working towards empowering its staff-ticket checkers (TCs) and stations masters (SMs)- to get rid of filthy, smelly stations and locals.

The move comes close on the heels of a similar campaign launched by the Central Railway (CR). Long overdue, this comes after countless commuters SMSed their anguish over filthy stations and demanded that paan and gutka be banned on trains and station areas get cleaner.

After sending people to jail for trespassing on the tracks under Article 156 of the Indian Railways Act, officials said that they won't hesitate to do the same to litterbugs under Article 145(b). Under the Act, a commuter can be imprisoned for one month, fined Rs 250 or both if caught creating nuisance at railway stations.

"More than 500 text messages have come in from commuters complaining against dirty trains and stations. We will start with awareness drives and do not rule out arresting offenders as a last resort," said chief public relations officer, WR, S S Gupta.

At present, each train is washed internally and externally once in 10 days and swept every day. But the effect is lost in a few trips. Officials hope that since commuters themselves have expressed a desire for cleaner stations, the drive won't face resistance.

WR has also written to the BMC to authorise its staff under the cleanliness and sanitation by-laws to fine offenders. Gupta said the civic body has shown a positive approach. "If a commuter is caught littering, he can be fined anything between Rs 100-200 on the spot," said Gupta.