In its efforts to ensure and retain world class cleanliness standards at Metro stations and surroundings, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to improve the cleaning of the stations as part of its Mission to provide a clean and efficient Mass Transit System for the citizens of Delhi & NCR. With this intent, the Delhi Metro has decided to re-work its cleaning and housekeeping practices by using advanced and hi-tech machineries and is conducting specialized training programme for its staff.
For this mechanized cleaning and housekeeping works, DMRC has introduced a number of new equipments and machines which will keep the entire system clean and hygienic round the clock. All the team leaders and supervisors of the cleaning teams deputed at stations, maintenance depots etc. are now being trained and certified by the British Institute of Cleaning Sciences at Gurgaon for this purpose.
In addition to this, DMRC has also organized an orientation programme and workshop for all its station managers, train maintenance Depot in-charges, and other officials from Operations Department to understand the nuances of these new equipments and techniques and to ensure their full compliance by the housekeeping contractors.
New housekeeping contracts for all the Metro stations are being awarded, ensuring that the requisite machinery, reagents, chemicals and housekeeping staff are mobilized and their minimum wages including timely payment of EPF and ESI contribution of the staff are made directly by making payment through bank account. The spirit of new contracts is that the stations and its premises are kept clean and hygienic by ensuring:
1. Mechanized cleaning operations by deployment of new machinery. In addition to upgrading existing machinery some new machines like electrically operated scrubber drier, back pack vacuum cleaners etc. have been provided.
2. Dust free sweeping & cleaning operations
3. Disposal of waste and garbage in bio-degradable garbage disposal bags in a hygienic manner.
4. Using eco-friendly cleaning chemicals and reagents for cleaning operations
Presently, DMRC deploys around 3500 housekeeping personnel at its 137 stations, working round the clock in three shifts of 8 hours each. On an average 20 -25 persons are deployed per station to keep the stations clean. The overall cleaning and housekeeping activities of Delhi Metro costs around Rupees five Crore per month.
