Cleaner stations soon, thanks to high ridership

May 17, 2013

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi : Increasing ridership has prompted the Delhi Metro to go for improved maintenance and housekeeping at its stations. On Sunday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that it would be introducing new equipment for cleaning its entire network of stations. The official added that hi-tech machines and formal training would be provided to housekeeping staff of Delhi Metro to ensure that tidiness on the premises matches international standards.

WORLD-CLASS: A shot of Udyog Bhawan Metro station

Delhi Metro has a reputation for being one of the few public spaces in the city that is kept clean despite a substantial ridership of over 21 lakh commuters every day. Commuters can now expect even better, as new machines and special training for staff is being planned. The Delhi Metro spokesman said that DMRC would introduce new equipment for cleaning its premises, and supervisors and cleaning teams deputed at stations and maintenance depots will receive training by the British Institute of Cleaning Sciences at Gurgaon (National Capital Region). “In order to maintain world class cleanliness standards at Metro stations and surroundings, we have decided to re-work its cleaning and housekeeping practices by using advanced and hi-tech machines and we are conducting specialized training programme for our staff,” the spokesman said.

Electrically-operated

scrubber drier, backpack vacuum cleaners, disposal of waste in bio-degradable garbage disposal bags in a hygienic manner, and the use of eco-friendly cleaning chemicals and reagents are all part of the new cleaning regimen. Currently, Metro deploys around 3,500 housekeeping personnel at its 137 stations, working three shifts of eight hours each.

“On an average, 20-25 persons are deployed per station to keep the stations clean. The overall cleaning and housekeeping activities cost around Rs 5 crore per month,” the Delhi Metro official added.

Source-http://epaper.timesofindia.com