JOIN USNext time you board a train, you may get a waft of pine or lemon grass fragrance as the Railways has decided to replace currently used deodoriser-cum-disinfectant with pleasant-smelling ones.
In a circular dated October 5, the Railway Board has said that the need to use better odour fighting-cum-disinfectant fluids in railway offices and trains was stressed by the railway minister. “The need for use of better odour-cum-disinfectant fluid, in place of phenylic type disinfectant fluid currently being used in railway offices and trains, to avoid unpleasant peculiar smell was stressed by Minister of Railways during meetings held on September 11 and October 3, 2017,” it said.
The circular also suggested that an alternative deodorising-cum-disinfectant fluid having some pure strain of “absolute essential oil like pine, lemon grass or any other essential oil having pleasant odour,” which was being used in some sections of the Railways, should be considered.
In the circular, the Board said that it has decided to replace existing disinfectants with the specified ones for all railway locations.
So, railway offices, hospitals, stations, coaching depots and trains are likely to soon smell of pine and lemon grass. The circular also stated that the procurement of the “peculiar” smelling disinfectant should be discontinued.
Pulling out all stops to ensure a comfortable journey for its passengers, the Railways has already started installing bio-toilets on trains and giving priority to on board cleaning. The ministry also introduced ranking system for stations based on their cleanliness.