Eastern Railway has introduced a new cleanliness drive called 30-Minute Sparkle to keep stations clean. This initiative, also known as #ER_Challenge, was launched by General Manager Milind Deoskar on May 16, 2026, at Sealdah station. The campaign will run until May 30, 2026, following a previous awareness drive held in April.
How to report cleanliness issues and get quick action?
Passengers can now report dirty areas by taking a photo and posting it on X (Twitter) or Facebook. To get a response, users must tag the official handle of the concerned division like @drmhowrah, @drmsdah, @drmmalda, or @DrmAsansol with the hashtag #ER_Challenge. Alternatively, complaints can be filed through Rail Madad. The railway promises that a cleaning team will arrive at the spot within 30 minutes of the complaint.
What are the rules and penalties for cleanliness?
The railway administration has made it clear that cleanliness is a shared responsibility. To maintain hygiene, a fine of up to ₹500 can be imposed on people found spitting or littering within the railway premises. Along with this, the railways are using professional housekeeping agencies and AI-based monitoring to improve services, especially in general coaches, as part of the 52 Weeks-52 Reforms plan.
Details of the 173rd anniversary of Indian Railways
Indian Railways celebrated the 173rd anniversary of its first passenger train service on April 16, 2026. The first train ran between Bori Bunder and Thane on April 16, 1853. To mark this occasion, Eastern Railway conducted a massive cleanliness drive where 1,447 people were fined for littering, totaling ₹2,89,400.
| Feature | Details of First Train (1853) |
|---|---|
| Route | Bori Bunder to Thane |
| Distance | 33-35 Kilometers |
| Travel Time | 57-70 Minutes |
| Engines | 3 Steam Engines (Sultan, Sindh, Sahib) |
| Passengers | Around 400 people |
| Coaches | 14 Passenger carriages |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can a passenger request cleaning at a station?
Passengers can post a photo of the dirty area on X or Facebook, tag the relevant DRM handle (like @drmhowrah) with #ER_Challenge, or use the Rail Madad app.
What is the fine for littering in railway premises?
People found spitting or throwing garbage in railway premises can be fined up to ₹500.