HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 21: Manu Goel, Additional Member (Environment and Housekeeping Management), Railway Board, conducted a comprehensive inspection of key infrastructure and service facilities under the Northeast Frontier Railway on July 17.
The visit was aimed at reviewing housekeeping standards, waste management systems, and passenger service delivery mechanisms, as per an official statement.
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Accompanied by Ajay Nandan, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer of NF Railway, Goel began the inspection at the Kamakhya Depot, where he reviewed the integrated cleaning and maintenance contract for the Brahmaputra Mail.
This initiative, the first of its kind, includes coach maintenance, bedroll distribution, onboard housekeeping services (OBHS), and minor enroute repairs.
According to the statement, the initiative has led to a 25% reduction in passenger complaints on the Rail Madad portal.
Goel also appreciated efforts such as gravity cock solutions for leaky taps and enhanced supervisor training for pipeline isolation.
The inspection also covered the AMI generation and testing facility that supplies over 1.45 lakh litres of bacteria used for bio-toilet maintenance in trains operating from depots including Agartala, Katihar, New Jalpaiguri, Dibrugarh, Naharlagun, and New Bongaigaon.
Innovations showcased during the visit included pre-cooling of AC coaches prior to platform placement, resulting in fewer passenger complaints and reduced platform detention, a dedicated UIC testing model to minimise cable faults, and saltwater resistive load testing for power cars to ensure generator efficiency.
Goel also visited the Rail Madad War Room at Kamakhya, where 24×7 monitoring of OBHS activities and passenger complaints is carried out.
Key features such as real-time cleaning resolution, bedroll tracking through IRCTC charts, biometric attendance of OBHS staff, and monitoring of train cleanliness were reviewed.
He praised the integration of digital systems and interdepartmental coordination for improving passenger services.
At the BOOT Laundry facility in New Guwahati, Shri Goel inspected modern equipment including a multi-stage tunnel washer, ironers, folders, and high-capacity boilers used for cleaning bedrolls and blankets.
The facility currently handles around 13,365 bedroll packets daily for Guwahati and Kamakhya-based trains. Quality checks using whiteness meters were also highlighted.
The official statement further noted that the inspection reflects the Railway Board’s commitment to improving environmental sustainability, operational cleanliness, and service quality.
Future developments under the NF Railway include the introduction of Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains, installation of a tandem wheel lathe, provision of Overhead Equipment (OHE) over pit lines, and development of a new coaching complex at New Guwahati.
