Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced new cargo reforms approved by Indian Railways as part of its plan to carry out “52 reforms in 52 weeks” during 2026. He said reforms are not one-time decisions but an ongoing process aimed at continuously improving the railway system.
The Minister said the results of sustained reforms are already visible, with Indian Railways emerging as the second largest cargo carrier in the world. “New-generation trains and modern working practices are being adopted across the network,” Vaishnaw mentioned.
Explaining the first reform, Vaishnaw said that from 2026 onwards, Indian Railways will introduce proper end-to-end cleaning of trains, especially long-distance services.
“Till now, deep cleaning was mostly limited to reserved coaches. For the first time in railway history, general coaches will also be fully included in the regular cleaning system,” the minister added.
He said the earlier “Clean Train Station” model, where intensive cleaning happened only at select stations, is being replaced by a continuous cleaning system that will operate throughout the journey, from the train’s starting point to its destination.
“Toilets, garbage bins, coach interiors, water supply, and minor electrical or mechanical issues such as faulty lights will be addressed during the journey itself, giving passengers a much cleaner and more comfortable travel experience,” he mentioned.