Mumbai:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) has already been accorded the status of a heritage structure. But this station is not one to rest on its past laurels.
After eight years, the CST station has again been conferred the distinction of being the cleanest among the 477 railway stations in the Central Railway.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and G S Joshi, station manager, CSTM, receives Best Station for Cleanliness shield from Kul Bhusan, general manager, Central Railway, on the occasion of the 56th Railway Week celebrations 2011
General manager of Central and Western Railway, Kul Bhushan, awarded the CST stationmaster for his commitment and hard work on Tuesday.
G S Joshi, senior station manager of CST railway station, is also being awarded a cash prize of Rs 5,000, along with a memento.
CST station is arguably the most bustling of all stations. Statistics suggest that this station records the highest footfall, and a record number of trains ply on its tracks everyday. There are seven suburban platforms and 11 mail-express platforms at the station.
A senior railway officers' committee surveyed all the 477 Central Railway stations to evaluate overall cleanliness. It inspected tracks, platforms, retiring rooms, drainage systems, surrounding areas, booking halls, toilets and offices.
CST was last given the cleanliness award way back in 2003. "It was more difficult this time, as the number of services and passengers have increased greatly," said Joshi, who has been working as a stationmaster for the last one-and-half year.
"The greatest challenge we faced lay in the fact that the maximum number of people commute here, resulting in a lot of filth and garbage. Apart from this, I had to shoulder the uphill task of maintaining the cleanliness in the toilets. I am happy that my efforts have been recognised. I will definitely try to ensure that this award goes to CST next year as well," added Joshi.
The second prize for overall cleanliness was given to Sevagram station, Nagpur.
A K Singh, PRO, CR, said, "It is a matter of great pride that CST, the busiest and most historic station of the Central Railways, has received the cleanliness shield from the general manager. Our efforts are on to maintain the cleanliness at other stations as well."
Did you know?- Nearly 37.5 lakh passengers commute daily in the suburban section of the Central Railways alone.
- There are 1,573 services on the suburban section and 84 up-down trains run on the main lines.
- Nearly 1lakh passengers commute daily through the CST station.