SWACHH HI SEWA 2025 – “EK GHANTA EK DIN EK SAATH” PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DIVISION

As part of the nationwide observance of Ek Ghanta, Ek Din, Ek Saath. special cleanliness drive during Swachh Hi Sewa 2025 – Swatchchotsav, Thiruvananthapuram Division, Southern Railway, conducted a series of programmes today (25th September 2025). The main event was organised at Ernakulam Junction Railway Station. Shri Manu Goel, Additional Member/EnHM, Railway Board, inaugurated the session by lighting the traditional lamp in the presence of Shri P. Suresh, Additional General Manager & Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer/SR, Shri Sachin Punetha, Chief Mechanical Engineer/Plng. & EnHM/HQ/SR, Shri Kannan, Chief Project Manager (Gati Shakti)/Southern Railway, Shri Harikrishnan, Sr. Divisional Mechanical Engineer/Thiruvananthapuram, and Shri Vasudevan, Area Officer/Ernakulam.

The programme at Ernakulam Junction commenced with Shramdaan at the identified Cleanliness Target Unit (CTU) and tree sapling plantation by Shri Manu Goel, Additional Member/EnHM, Railway Board, and Shri P. Suresh, Additional GM & PCME Southern Railway. Shri Manu Goel also administered the Swachhata Pledge, and also honoured the Safai Mitras reinforcing the commitment towards a clean and sustainable environment.

The event featured several awareness and outreach activities. These included the distribution of 50 saplings to students and passengers, and prize distribution to the winners of various competitions. Students from PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Kadavanthra delivered inspirational speeches, while students of Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT) Ernakulam presented cultural performances, highlighting the importance of community participation in cleanliness drives.

To further spread the message of sustainability, a Waste to Art Exhibition was inaugurated, a Swachhata Rally was flagged off and a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) stall set up by NGO Greenworms was inaugurated by Shri Manu Goel Additional Member. The programme concluded with the distribution of awareness posters and pamphlets to passengers. Active participation was witnessed from Railway Staff, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, officers and staff of Southern Railway, Rail Sahayaks, and Safa Mitras.

In addition to the Ernakulam programme, cleanliness activities were conducted at Kanniyakumari, Nagercoil Jn., Thiruvananthapuram Central, Kochuveli, Varkala Sivagiri, Kayamkulam Jn., Alappuzha, Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Changanassery, Ernakulam Jn, Ernakulam Town, Aluva, Thrissur and Guruvayur today.

• At Thiruvananthapuram Pettah Railway Station, the garden area was cleaned and rejuvenated by Medical Officers and staff of the Divisional Railway Hospital, Pettah.
  
• At Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, the NSS Unit of University College, Thiruvananthapuram, joined station officials, RPF personnel, and Safaimitras in taking the Swachhata pledge, conducting an awareness rally, and participating in shramdaan activities. A human chain of awareness and cleanliness awareness drive for passengers on board trains and platforms were also arranged.

To create further awareness among passengers, exhibitions highlighting the impact of plastic on the environment – (1) Waste to Art Exhibition and (2) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Exhibition are organised at major stations from 17th September 2025.

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