Central Railway (CR) has launched a new initiative to improve cleanliness in long-distance trains. For the first time, row-wise dustbins have been installed in air-conditioned coaches. This trial began this December and is being carried out on two trains.
The dustbins are placed between rows, beneath the tray tables mounted under the windows. These stainless steel bins are portable and operated with a foot pedal. In the 16-coach CSMT-Amritsar Express, eight 2AC and 3AC Economy coaches are part of this trial. Two bins are positioned between rows where passengers usually store small baggage.
This comes in response to frequent complaints about dirty coaches. According to officials, the "Rail Madad" app receives around 10 to 12 complaints daily about hygiene issues, especially in northbound trains. The CSMT-Amritsar Express is one of the trains with the most complaints.
Onboard housekeeping staff now check and empty the bins regularly. They have been instructed to replace garbage covers whenever the bins are full.
The dustbins are currently limited to AC coaches. Existing bins under sinks often overflow and are cleaned only at the end of trips. Officials are also considering adding a locking system to prevent theft of the new bins.
CR plans to expand this to four more trains in the coming days. As per reports, officials are considering introducing the bins in trains travelling to Gorakhpur, Patna, and Lucknow by the end of 2024.
By March 2025, the goal is to install dustbins in all trains departing from Mumbai. This includes trains from both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus. These dustbins may also be installed in sleeper coaches based on passenger feedback.