RAWALPINDI, Aug 3: Pakistan Railways on Friday launched cleanliness drive at Rawalpindi, Chaklala and Margallah Railway stations and adjoining residential colonies in order to keep the environment neat and clean.

Divisional Superintendent Syed Munawar Shah has declared August as the month of cleanliness of railway platforms and colonies. Under the drive, people littering the station, smoking at public place and entering the station premises without a platform ticket will be penalised.

As part of the campaign, railway officials at various railway terminals will create awareness about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene among the passengers. The division is also planning to utilise the services of volunteers from other walks of life for creating awareness among the people about the cleanliness of platforms.

Pamphlets will be distributed in Railway colonies to educate the railway workers and their families how to keep their environment clean and avoid outbreak of communicable diseases like cholera, hepatitis, malaria, typhoid, dengue virus and others.

Divisional Superintendent Syed Munawar Shah told Dawn that the railway staff deployed at railway stations would keep check on the cleanliness round the clock.

“The anti-dengue and anti-mosquito sprays will be done on weekly basis in railway stations and colonies to avoid spread of monsoon related diseases,” he said and added that stray dogs killing campaign would be completed before Eidul Fitr and it must be ensured that there was no stray dog in and around railway stations and colonies.

Syed Munawar Shah said that the campaign would be closely monitored and in the end, the sanitary workers would be awarded with cash prizes and certificates.