ER launches clean-up drive at stations

Kolkata: The platforms of Eastern Railway transformed into stages of change on Saturday as Phase II of the Swachhata Drive, "Cleaning Guarantee within 30 Minutes of Reporting", was launched at the Sealdah station. General manager Milind Deouskar officially launched the fortnight-long "30-Minute Sparkle" blitz.During his detailed inspection of the station, Deouskar interacted with station vendors and passengers, emphasising that hygiene was important. To the vendors, he said, "You are the face of our station; your commitment to keeping your stalls and surroundings waste-free sets the standard for every traveller who visits us." During his walk-through, he stopped to speak with several families and daily commuters waiting for their trains, asking for their direct feedback on the station's upkeep. He told the passengers, "This 30-minute promise is our ‘Cleaning Guarantee' to you, but your participation is the real fuel behind this engine of change. We are putting the power in your hands to hold us accountable. With your help, we can make Eastern Railway clean and beautiful." The passengers expressed their appreciation for the initiative, with many immediately downloading the necessary handles to participate. Meanwhile, at Howrah station, additional general manager Sheelendra Pratap Singh led a parallel ceremony, engaging in heartfelt conversations with commuters about their expectations for a cleaner rail experience and encouraging them to use the new digital reporting tools.The morning at Sealdah began not with speeches, but with a vibrant pulse of social awareness. The Eastern Railway Bharat Scouts and Guides captivated the crowds with a high-octane Nukkad Natak on Swachhata. Through music, drama and powerful dialogue, the young scouts illustrated the impact of littering and the power of the new reporting system. Following this performance, the General Manager formally inaugurated the programme, triggering a zone-wide movement that promises a spotless environment across the Sealdah, Howrah, Malda and Asansol divisions.The highlight of Saturday's launch was the introduction of a high-tech, rapid-response system that turns every passenger into a cleanliness ambassador. Through the #ERChallenge, passengers who spot any litter or unclean area can simply snap a photo and tag the official divisional handles — @drmsdah, @drmhowrah, @drmmalda or @DrmAsansol — on social media, or file a report directly via Railmadad. Once a report is verified, dedicated rapid-response cleaning squads are instantly dispatched to restore the spot within a strict 30-minute window.While Sealdah was the heart of the event, the energy was felt across 14 other major stations simultaneously, ensuring that 24/7 vigilance becomes the new standard. In the Sealdah Division, the drive was celebrated at Dum Dum Jn, Barrackpore, Naihati, Kanchrapara and Barasat. The Howrah Division saw the challenge come alive at Howrah, Liluah, Bandel Jn and Rampurhat. In the Asansol Division, the focus was on Asansol and Durgapur, while the Malda Division covered Malda, Jamalpur and Bhagalpur, bringing the entire Eastern Railway network under one unified mission of hygiene.Reflecting on the successful launch, Shibram Majhi, chief public relations officer of Eastern Railway, shared a vision of partnership, stating, "Today, we haven't just launched a service; we have started a culture where the station is treated with the same respect as our own homes. The #ERChallenge is a testament to our belief that when the railway and the public work together, a spotless journey is no longer a dream, but a guarantee."Spot it. Report it. We are on it. #ERChallenge