Delhi Railway Tracks Choked by Garbage Despite Clean-Up Efforts

New Delhi's railway tracks are currently marred by extensive neglect, with charred waste, plastic, and rotting debris accumulating along their paths. Although the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Indian Railways initiated a special sanitation drive focusing on construction debris and legacy waste, these efforts are being undermined by ongoing indiscriminate dumping. Inspections revealed a mixed scenario, with some stretches cleared, while others, such as those near Kishanganj, Azadpur, and Sabzi Mandi, remain heavily littered.

Railway maintenance staff face daily challenges, describing how they must manually clear accumulated garbage before performing their duties. Informal settlements along the tracks in areas like Azadpur contribute to the problem, with residents admitting to household waste being thrown along the rail corridors. While acknowledging some improvements, residents emphasize the need for sustained cleanup operations and public cooperation to address the persistent issue.

The MCD has stated that the sanitation drive is ongoing and planned for the next three years. To date, the initiative has covered approximately 103 km of tracks, removing about 18,500 metric tonnes of legacy waste. Authorities have deployed significant resources, including 550 sanitation workers and various vehicles, and installed waste bins to discourage further dumping. Despite these measures, the stark contrast between urban development and the grim conditions near the tracks persists in many parts of the capital.