Send SMS to 58888, if your train coach needs cleaning

A railway passenger can now send an SMS to a prescribed number if the coach requires cleaning as the public transporter today launched "Clean My Coach" initiative as part of its 'Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat' campaign.
"It is a new beginning in cleanliness efforts with the use of technology," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said here after launching 'Clean My Coach Scheme' at New Delhi, Mumbai Central and Lucknow stations through video-conferencing.
As per the scheme which is part of the rail budget 2016-17 proposals, for any cleaning in a coach, a passenger can send an SMS to 58888. Passenger's request is immediately acknowledged through SMS on mobile phone along with a code.

A message will also be sent to the on-board housekeeping staff along with details like coach number.
Housekeeping staff contacts the passenger and carries out cleaning as per demand. If the passenger is satisfied, he discloses the code through SMS and the complaint is then treated as closed.
Passengers can also use Android app "Cleanmycoach Indian Railways" or webpage "cleanmycoach.Com" for lodging a request.

"Cleanliness is an issue in the country. It discourages tourists. We have launched Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat campaign to address that," Prabhu said.
He said all non-AC coaches will have dustbins and washable blankets.
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In his speech, Prabhu reiterated his Ministry's
commitment to keep trains and platforms clean.
Initially, this service has been introduced in 560 trains and the Ministry plans to cover the entire network by the end of 2016.
Prabhu said plans are afoot to bring all digital services at one platform.
G C Agrawal, General Manager, Western Railway, said his zone has introduced the SMS service in 22 trains and 43 more have been identified to be covered under the scheme.
Speaking to mediapersons in Mumbai, Agrawal said, "In a bid to keep trains and railway premises clean, WR has taken various steps, including fixing tiles in lavatories of AC coaches on a trial basis, installing vacuum toilets at stations and later on in coaches."

Asked if the 'Clean My Coach' initiative would be extended to general class coaches also, he replied in the negative, saying such compartments are not linked with vestibules and also because they are overcrowded.
"Bigger crowd in the general class coaches would normally hamper the movement of housekeeping staff. Hence, this service is not practically possible in such coaches," Agrawal added.