Mumbai Central Division Conducts Extensive ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2026’ Campaign
· Free Press Journal
As part of the nationwide “Swachhata Hi Seva” 2026 initiative, Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway is conducting extensive cleanliness, sanitation, and awareness drives across its stations, coaching depots, railway colonies, health units, and maintenance establishments. Over four consecutive days, from 17th to 20th September, 2026, the ongoing campaign has witnessed widespread participation from railway employees, students, Bharat Scouts & Guides, voluntary organizations, civic bodies, and passengers, creating a sustained mass movement towards a cleaner environment.
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According to a press release issued by Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, the campaign has mobilized over 4,100 participants who were administered the Swachhata Pledge across various units and stations. Intensive sanitation drives conducted across the division resulted in the collection of more than 5.2 tonnes of segregated waste, covering wet, dry, sanitary, and special-care categories. In a targeted effort to eliminate litter spots, 83 Clean Target Units or Garbage Vulnerable Points were identified, out of which 23 sites covering nearly 1,387 square metres were transformed with the removal of 1.19 metric tonnes of accumulated waste. Additionally, 8 reclaimed sites were beautified and 4 Swachhata-themed selfie points were created, with deep-cleaning drives carried out at EMU Carshed Mumbai Central, Coach Care Centre Surat, Jagjivan Ram Hospital, Valsad, Udhana, Palghar, and various trackside and yard areas.
Youth involvement has been a central pillar of the initiative, with awareness and demonstration programmes organized across 30 schools and educational institutes under the “Swachh Paathshala – Yuva for Swachhata” outreach. Students were sensitized regarding Solid Waste Management Rules and four-way source segregation through interactive sessions, quiz, debate, and drawing competitions at Railway Secondary School, Valsad, and Valsad Railway School. Furthermore, over 540 participants took part in Swachhata Gyan Yatra programmes, which included a practical demonstration for students at the Automatic Coach Washing Plant in Valsad highlighting water recycling and up to 70 percent water conservation. Creative competitions were also organized by Western Railway Woman’s Welfare Organisation at Rail Nikunj, Mumbai Central and an awareness rally near the DRM Office premises.
Spreading civic mindfulness among passengers and residents, engaging Nukkad Nataks, Prabhat Pheris, and awareness rallies were organized in the circulating areas of Bandra and Valsad stations, as well as by the Western Railway State Bharat Scouts & Guides at Nandurbar station. In parallel, health and welfare initiatives were undertaken, including a cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccination counselling camp at Palghar Railway Colony, alongside dedicated Safai Mitra Shivirs at Surat and Bilimora providing health check-ups and protective gear to 55 sanitation and housekeeping workers.
The campaign has also seen active collaboration with civic bodies and voluntary groups. Joint Shramdaan drives were conducted with Universal Soch Foundation at Mira Road and Bhayandar stations, Lions Club at Surat and Madhi, municipal personnel at Navsari, and Parakram Academy students at Amalner, while the Personnel Department carried out tree plantation and cleanliness activities at Borivali Railway Colony. Through these sustained and diverse initiatives, Mumbai Central Division continues to reinforce the message of “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag • Swachh Bharat • Viksit Bharat” as the campaign progresses.