Fortnight-long Cleanliness Campaign to Run from Sept 17 to Oct 2

Prayagraj: Cleanliness is not merely a responsibility of an individual or an institution; it is a collective commitment that reflects the participation, civic sense and shared ownership of society. With the objective of strengthening this spirit of collective action and contributing to the vision of a Swachh and Viksit Bharat, the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign will be observed from 17 September to 2 October 2026, culminating in Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2 October.

This year’s campaign is being undertaken with the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, emphasising a Whole of Government and Whole of Society approach towards cleanliness. The campaign lays particular emphasis on public participation, youth engagement, transformation of difficult and vulnerable cleanliness spots, welfare and recognition of SafaiMitras, responsible waste management and converting waste into useful resources.

North Central Railway to join the nationwide cleanliness movement: As an important public service organisation serving lakhs of passengers every day, North Central Railway will actively contribute to Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 through a comprehensive cleanliness and awareness campaign across its stations, trains, railway colonies, offices, workshops, depots, schools and other establishments under the jurisdiction of its Prayagraj, Agra and Jhansi Divisions.

The campaign will go beyond routine cleanliness activities, with focused interventions aimed at creating visible, sustainable and participatory improvements in railway premises. The initiatives will bring together railway employees, passengers, students, SafaiMitras, RPF personnel, NGOs, community organisations and other stakeholders in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari. The Railway Board guidelines envisage cleanliness activities across stations, trains, tracks, colonies, offices, workshops, depots, schools and public/community toilets.

Five key campaigns to drive Swachhata Hi Seva 2026

Under SHS 2026, North Central Railway’s cleanliness initiatives will be organised around the following five campaign pillars:

1. Transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) & Clean Public Places: Difficult and vulnerable cleanliness spots, including Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) and legacy waste locations around station approaches, yards, colony boundaries and track-side areas, will be identified and taken up for time-bound transformation. Reclaimed locations will also be beautified wherever feasible.

2. Swachh Paathshala – Yuva for Swachhata: Students and youth will be actively engaged through cleanliness activities, awareness sessions, competitions, Swachhata Gyan Yatras and discussions on waste management, water conservation, source segregation and cleanliness. Exposure visits to railway waste-management and water-recycling facilities are also envisaged.

3. SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir: Special initiatives will recognise the contribution of SafaiMitras—the sanitation workforce that plays a vital role in keeping stations, trains and railway colonies clean. The campaign includes provisions for health check-ups, PPE and safety gear, welfare-scheme linkages and felicitation of SafaiMitras and other sanitation workers.

4. Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata: Passenger and community participation will be encouraged through awareness campaigns, Swachhata pledges, signature campaigns, rallies, nukkad nataks, sports activities, plogging, plastic-free initiatives and other public engagement activities. Passenger cooperation will also be sought through the “Meri Seat Mera Dabba” cleanliness message.

5. Swachhata Se Samriddhi: The campaign will promote the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, including “Kabaad Se Jugaad – Waste to Wealth”, “Kabaad Se Kala – Waste to Art”, Plastic Recycling Melas and RRR-type collection initiatives, giving a productive dimension to waste management.

Focused cleanliness calendar from 17 September to 2 October: The campaign will follow a focused activity calendar, beginning with “Swachh Paathshala – Yuva for Swachhata” on 17–18 September, followed by Transformation of CTUs & Garbage Vulnerable Points on 19–20 September and “Swachh Stations, Swachh Railgaadi & Clean Public Places” on 21–22 September.

The subsequent activities will include Jan Bhagidari Advocacy on 23–24 September, Sports for Swachhata & Post-Event Cleanliness on 25–26 September, special cleanliness initiatives at tourist and heritage railway locations on World Tourism Day, 27 September, and Swachhata Se Samriddhi on 28–29 September. SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir will be organised on 30 September.

During the campaign, special attention will also be given to intensive cleaning of major and high-footfall stations, platforms, foot-over-bridges, waiting areas, toilets, circulating areas, drains and other passenger-use areas, along with cleanliness inspections of identified trains covering coach interiors, toilets, exteriors, linen and pantry areas.

1.         ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ on 1 October: A major highlight of the campaign will be the nationwide “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” initiative on 1 October 2026, under which simultaneous shramdaan and cleanliness activities will be undertaken across railway premises.

At the railway level, employees, RPF personnel, students, NGOs, community organisations and other stakeholders will be encouraged to participate in cleanliness and plogging activities at stations, yards, colonies and other identified locations, while ensuring all necessary safety precautions near railway tracks and running lines.

2.         Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2 October: The campaign will culminate on 2 October 2026, observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas, with activities including Swachh Raths/Prabhat Pheris, Swachhata Pledge, recognition of best-performing units and volunteers, cleanliness activities and plantation under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” at transformed CTU sites.

Through these initiatives, North Central Railway seeks to transform cleanliness from a periodic activity into a shared public habit, encouraging passengers, railway employees and communities to take ownership of the cleanliness of railway premises and contribute collectively towards the vision of “Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat.”

North Central Railway appeals to passengers, railway employees, students, SafaiMitras, NGOs and citizens to actively participate in the campaign and make cleanliness a shared responsibility and a sustained way of life.