(GIST OF YOJANA) Delhi Metro: Sanitation in Public Places [NOVEMBER-2019]

(GIST OF YOJANA)  Delhi Metro: Sanitation in Public Places

Delhi Metro: Sanitation in Public Places

Introduction:

The Delhi Metro today operates on a network of 377 kilometres and 274 Metro stations (including the Noida - Greater Noida Metro corridor). The scale of the operations can be gauged from the fact that more than 30 lakh people avail the services every single day for more than 18 hours. Over 320 trains traverse these distances carrying people to their chosen destinations.

Project Wing

• DMRC’s construction activities are an integral part of its overall functioning. Since 1998, DMRC has been engaged in the construction of Metro almost continuously. While in 2005, Phase 1 of the Delhi Metro with 65 kilometres was completed, in 2011, the second phase comprising of 125 kilometres was operationalised.
•  DMRC has taken the necessary measures to curb this menace. It is mandatory for contractors to provide toilets for workers within the sites.
•  The toilets are properly maintained with continuous availability of water.
•  Regular inspections are conducted to ensure the same. Along with the above, the workers are also sensitised about the importance of maintaining hygiene. Through various activities such as workshops, street plays, distribution of leaflets etc., they are made aware about the importance of maintaining hygiene. For example, at the beginning of the mosquito-breeding season around June-July every year, leaflets are distributed and banners are installed at sites to raise awareness about the importance of keeping the sites free of stagnant water.
•  Also, attractive graffiti and artwork are painted on the barricades around the construction sites to raise awareness about construction site safety, health, and hygiene-related issues. As a result of these initiatives and continuous vigil, there have been no complaints pertaining to public sanitation at construction sites since the commencement of work in 1998.

Operation and Maintenance Wing

•  As an urban transit provider, Delhi Metro acknowledges the importance of providing safe, clean, and hygienic sanitation facilities to its commuters while they are in the premises of DMRC’s network. This is evident from the facilities provided by DMRC across its network. In a rare feat, DMRC provided toilet facility at all of its 274 stations across Delhi-NCR. This is perhaps the highest number of toilets provided by any urban transport system in the world.
•  In all the stations under the Phase 3 project, toilets have been opened in the paid area of the stations so that commuters can use the facilities quite near to the platforms from where they board the metro. The stations built prior to Phase 3 project have been provided with toilets based on the availability of space.
•  The toilets arc built inside the station buildings, making them easily accessible for commuters. While constructing the facilities, Delhi Metro has also ensured that they are easily accessible for the elders, children, and physically-challenged commuters as well. DMRC followed the guidelines and space standards for barrier-free built environment for them. The charges for using toilet facility are kept nominal to ensure affordability. Building toilets is only a part of the job. Merely building the facilities without a proper maintenance plan would fail the whole purpose. Hence, DMRC roped in the NGOs like Sulabh International and M/s Civic International to maintain the facilities.
•  This helped us maintain the toilets and ensure functionality of the facilities with adequate water supply. Further, Delhi Metro also installed additional public toilet utilities outside some of the station premises. These facilities arc open for use by even those who do not travel by metro. The DMRC staff washrooms in the station buildings are also open for commuters in case of urgent requirement.
•  Keeping the Metro premises clean and dirt-free is another crucial aspect of public sanitation. Delhi Metro accords highest priority to cleanliness in its premises. It is one of the cleanest transport systems in the world. Over a period of time, Delhi Metro has adopted improvised cleaning and housekeeping practices at metro stations to ensure world-class cleanliness standards. To ensure the same, DMRC conducts specialized training programmes for all its station managers.
•  For this mechanised cleaning and housekeeping work, DMRC has introduced a number of new equipment and machines which keep the entire system clean and hygienic round the clock. All the team leaders and supervisors of the cleaning teams deputed at the stations, maintenance depots etc. have been trained and certified by specialised agencies.
•  In addition to this, DMRC also organises orientation programmes and workshops for all its station managers, train maintenance depot in-charges, and other officials from Operations Department to understand the nuances of these cleaning and housekeeping techniques.
•  It is ensured that the requisite machinery, reagents, chemicals, and housekeeping staff are mobilised and their minimum wages including timely payment of EPF and ESI contribution are made directly by making payment through bank account.

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The following are the highlights of the housekeeping practices applied at DMRC network:

•  Mechanised cleaning operations by deployment of machinery: In addition to upgrading existing machinery some new machines like electrically-operated scrubber drier, back pack vacuum cleaners etc. have been provided;
•  Dust-free sweeping and cleaning operations;
•  Disposal of waste and garbage in biodegradable disposal bags in a hygienic manner; and
•  Using eco-friendly cleaning chemicals and reagents for cleaning operations.
• Apart from the above mentioned initiatives, DMRC also provides drinking water at stations at nominal price, charging only for the recyclable paper cup if users do not bring their own containers/bottles. DMRC installed RO plants at some of the stations which purify the internal water supply, recycling it to provide pure drinking water through its Smart Water ATMs. To maintain them, DMRC collaborated with private firms.
• Delhi Metro also makes it a point to adopt environmentally-friendly practices in its project execution and operation. In line with the Government of India’s recent initiatives, DMRC imposed ban on single-use plastic across its network.

Way forward

We are also committed to adopting greener technologies to arrest the process of climate change. DMRC has developed several projects to demonstrate savings in CO, emissions from its activities. All the upcoming Metro stations under the Delhi Metro as part of its third phase are designed and being constructed as ‘green buildings’ with specific provisions for the conservation of energy as well as better CO2, saving, water saving and waste management arrangements.

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