Railways Sets 10-Minute Train Cleaning Deadline At 20 Major Stations: How Hi-Tech Tools And Tighter Workflows Will Help

In a push to modernise en-route cleanliness, the Ministry of Railways has launched a dramatic revamp of its Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme—this time, with a hard deadline of 10 minutes, the Indian Express reported.

According to a ministry letter dated 12 June 2025, cleaning crews at 20 major stations will now be armed with backpack-style high-pressure jet sprayers, battery-operated vacuum cleaners, and self-contained water tanks (10–15 litres). The goal? Clean two coaches, four toilets, floors, dustbins, and washbasins, in the time it takes for a routine station halt.

The Working Model

As the train halts, two cleaners jump into action per cleaning unit. One handles toilet bowls and walls with jet pressure spray, while the other vacuums and mops the floor dry. Dustbins are emptied, basins scrubbed with ergonomic brushes, and floors wiped using absorbent mops. Water tanks are topped up, even as passengers deboard and board. All this—under ten minutes.

To make this hands-free and faster, uniforms come with pocket-loaded aprons and trousers that carry everything from chemical bottles to brushes. This revamped CTS protocol was piloted by Northern Railway before being cleared for rollout by the Railway Board.

The new scheme will now apply to 683 trains across eight zones, including Southern, Northern, East Central, South Central, and Northeast Frontier Railways. Stations like Patna, Varanasi, Old Delhi, Lumding, Ranchi, and Kacheguda are among the 20 locations chosen.

Examples include the Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express cleaned at Patliputra and the Kanchanjungha Express, cleaned at Lumding. This marks a major leap for India’s in-transit hygiene, with technology, muscle, and a stopwatch.