Massive cleanliness drive at Bhubaneswar railway station, over 550 fined

As many as 581 individuals have reportedly been penalized by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Bhubaneswar railway station for failing to adhere to sanitation regulations in March.

According to sources, fines amounting to Rs 1,17,100 were collected from violators, with challans being issued as part of the enforcement measures during a special drive held last month.

Meanwhile, the RPF has urged passengers and visitors to uphold cleanliness by refraining from littering or spitting within station premises and trains. Officials have confirmed that similar drives will continue in the coming months to ensure a cleaner environment.

Indian Railways is actively working on a large-scale redevelopment of Bhubaneswar railway station. The project, undertaken as part of the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’, focuses on improving hygiene and infrastructure to enhance passenger experience.

Revised Penalty Structure

Effective February 10, 2020, East Coast Railway introduced a uniform penalty system across its 313 stations, including Bhubaneswar. Fines for activities such as littering, spitting, urinating, defecating, cooking, defacing railway property, and unauthorized bill posting now range from Rs 100 to Rs 5,000, depending on the nature of the offense. Vendors failing to provide appropriate waste disposal arrangements or using plastic below 50 microns also face penalties.

Enforcement and Results

Authorized personnel, including Railway Protection Force officers, station masters, and ticket collectors, are empowered to detect and penalize offenders. This enforcement has led to significant improvements in cleanliness.