New initiative aims to improve cleanliness, hygiene and passenger comfort:NFR Introduces Enhanced On-Board Services in Five Trains.

Dalim Phukan.
Hills Live News,Guwahati, October 11: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has introduced enhanced on-board services in five selected trains, becoming the second zonal railway in Indian Railways to implement the initiative.
The services were formally launched at Guwahati Railway Station on October 10 in the presence of the Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer of NFR and other senior railway officials. The technology-enabled housekeeping services are being implemented by SMC Integrated Facility Management Solutions Limited, with dedicated teams deployed to ensure continuous cleanliness, improved sanitation and prompt resolution of passenger complaints throughout the journey.
The initiative will cover five train services: the Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru Express (12552/12551), starting October 14; the Guwahati–Kolkata Garib Rath Express (12518/12517), starting October 10; the Dibrugarh–Mumbai LTT Express (15946/15945), starting October 11; the New Jalpaiguri–Patna Vande Bharat Express (22233/22234); and the New Jalpaiguri–Guwahati Vande Bharat Express (22227/22228). The two Vande Bharat services commenced the enhanced services on October 10.
The upgraded facilities will include regular cleaning of coaches and AC windows, improved washroom hygiene, efficient waste management, and timely distribution and collection of linen. Dedicated teams will also provide basic technical assistance, monitor water availability and address passenger complaints within a target of two hours. Unresolved complaints will be escalated to the concerned railway authorities.
To ensure service quality and accountability, the initiative incorporates digital monitoring, geo-tagged service verification, staff tracking and a centralised monitoring system. Real-time passenger feedback, star ratings and artificial intelligence-based cleaning assessments will also be used to evaluate performance and improve service standards.
In a move to promote local craftsmanship, uniforms for on-board service staff have been produced by local weavers with support from the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
Through this initiative, NFR aims to strengthen cleanliness and hygiene standards, enhance passenger satisfaction and provide a cleaner, safer and more comfortable railway travel experience.