Indian Railways has launched two major reforms as part of its ambitious “52 reforms in 52 weeks” plan for 2026. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said reforms are a continuous process and not one-time actions. He added that Indian Railways is now the world’s second-largest cargo carrier and is moving towards modern systems and better services.
END-TO-END TRAIN CLEANING MODEL
The first reform focuses on complete cleaning of trains. For the first time, general coaches will receive the same cleaning attention as reserved coaches. Earlier, cleaning was limited and done at selected stations under the “Clean Train Station” concept.
Now, Railways will adopt a continuous cleaning model from origin to destination. Toilets, garbage bins, cabins, and water supply will be checked regularly during the journey. Minor electrical and mechanical issues will also be fixed on board.
In the first phase, 80 trains have been identified across zones. Over three years, the system will cover all trains. Professional teams will be hired under strict service agreements. AI-based war rooms will monitor cleaning through image verification. Strict action will follow if standards are not met.
BOOST FOR GATI SHAKTI CARGO TERMINALS
The second reform strengthens the Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy. The number of terminals is expected to rise from 124 to over 500 in five years.
Cargo terminals will now allow on-site processing. Cement grinding, food grain processing, stuffing and destuffing can happen inside terminals. This will reduce costs and increase railway cargo traffic.
Maintenance support for private operators will be available on payment. Standard designs will get faster approvals. Contract tenure has been extended from 35 to 50 years to attract investment.
The Minister said the reform could generate ₹30,000 crore in three years. More reforms are in the pipeline as Railways begins a major transformation drive.
