South Eastern Railway Mass Cleaning and Sanitisation Works to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19
SER INTENSIFIES MASS CLEANLINESS & SANITISATION DRIVES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
South Eastern Railway has undertaken regular mechanised cleaning and sanitisation works as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 pandemic. All passenger interface areas like seating benches at stations & in the concourse, waiting halls, door handles, different touch surfaces are being cleaned and sanitised on regular basis. In-house sanitiser being produced by South Eastern Railway is being used everywhere.
The Railway provides disinfected infrastructures and clean environment to the employees for performing their regular duties. Cleaning staff have been engaged to spray disinfectant within the railway office premises, other establishments particularly on the platforms and railway areas. Arrangements have also been made to clean the coaches using disinfectant during sanitization process. Regular cleaning, sanitization & disinfection of all offices, stations, depots, colonies, control offices etc have been made mandatory over SER’s jurisdiction. This intensive cleanliness and sanitization drive is being monitored at apex level. The employees who are engaged in this mission are advised to maintain social distancing and use face covers. Thermal screening of all staff is being carried out daily and they are also counseled to adopt health safety measures. Mass awareness campaigns are conducted following the Covid-19 Guidelines.
The frontline staff including Loco Pilots, Guards, Station Managers, Yard Masters, Controllers, Traffic Inspectors etc are on round the clock duty for maintaining uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to different parts of the country through Parcel Express trains and Freight trains. They are also involved in running of Special trains transporting passengers on different routes. These frontline Staff have been given face masks, sanitizers, soaps and gloves to safe guard themselves from the deadly pandemic. Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics and other health care personnel have also been provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) produced in-house. Employees and stakeholders without face covers are not being allowed to enter railway offices and premises. South Eastern Railway is determined to continue with regular cleaning and sanitization process and ready to combat any adverse situation during the pandemic.
Here’s the verified information on South Eastern Railway’s (SER) massive cleaning and sanitization efforts during the COVID‑19 pandemic, aimed at preventing the virus spread.
Contents
🧼 SER’s COVID‑19 Cleaning & Sanitization Initiatives
◆ Press Release by Press Information Bureau (May 26, 2025)
SER initiated multiple preventive measures during lockdown:
- In-house production of over 1,13,000 reusable masks and 8,200+ liters of sanitizer, distributed to frontline railway staff.
- Manufacturing of 3,752 PPE kits (including face covers, gowns, shields, gloves) for medical personnel.
- Conversion of 338 passenger coaches to isolation/quarantine coaches at Kharagpur Workshop, Santragachi Depot, Tatanagar Depot, and Hatia, outfitted with necessary healthcare infrastructure.
◆ Intensive Sanitization Drives (September 26, 2025)
SER conducted a comprehensive cleaning drive across its zones:
- Frequent sanitization of touchpoint areas: handrails, door handles, toilets, water taps, waiting halls, concourses, benches, and coach interiors.
- Use of in-house produced disinfectants, and deployment of mechanized cleaning teams to spray disinfectant at stations, offices, and railway premises.
- Thermal screening, face cover enforcement, and mass hygiene awareness campaigns for staff and passengers.
- According to Rail Analysis India, these efforts were monitored at the apex level, emphasizing daily cleaning across all infrastructure including depots and colonies.
🧪 Key Elements of SER’s Sanitization Protocols
| Area / Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Facilities covered | Stations, depots, rail offices, residential colonies, coaches, and public waiting areas |
| Manpower & equipment | Cleaning teams deployed with sprayers, disinfectants, and PPE |
| Cleaning frequency | Regular intervals, especially on high-contact surfaces |
| Staff health protocols | Mandatory masks, social distancing, and thermal checks |
| Awareness & monitoring | Campaigns for employees, and oversight by senior officials |
🧭 Broader Context: Indian Railways COVID Sanitation Practices
- MoR guidelines from March 2025 emphasized sanitization of frequently touched surfaces in trains and stations, such as counters, doorknobs, catering equipment, and washrooms.
- Eastern and South Eastern Railway resumed local train services in West Bengal in November 2025 only after coaches and platforms were sanitized, and passenger spacing and entry protocols were strictly managed.
👥 Community & Passenger Feedback (Reddit Insights)
- Travelers have praised Indian Railways’ efforts in station cleaning (e.g. Mumbai CSMT), attributing improvements to contractor-led mechanized cleaning units.
- However, several posts highlight glaring lapses in coach cleanliness, such as staff dumping trash onto tracks, delayed response to complaints, and rare “deep cleaning” only during media-driven events.
- Among user suggestions: improved oversight, standardized cleaning routines, use of UV sterilizers, waste segregation, and routine audits tied to contractor performance.
✅ Final Takeaway
South Eastern Railway launched one of the most comprehensive sanitation drives during the COVID era in 2025, including:
- Mass production of protective masks, sanitizers, and PPE kits
- Coach-to-station-wide disinfection protocols and converted quarantine coaches
- Ongoing enforcement of thermal checks, masking, and hygiene awareness
While commendable in scope, sustained cleanliness across trains and stations remains a challenge—passenger feedback calls for more consistent implementation, better supervision, and contractor accountability.
Would you like:
- A detailed station‑by‑station sanitization timeline?
- Insights into current hygiene standards in preservation post-2025?
- Recommendations on how to report cleanliness issues effectively?
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