General Manager sends SOS to Ministry, warns that onboard housekeeping services will have to be terminated
Chennai: Amid an unprecedented cash crunch, the Southern Railway has sent an SOS to the Ministry of Railways that if adequate funds are not allotted by August-end, it would have no option but to terminate onboard housekeeping services (OBHS), pest control and supply of linen contracts on all 110 long-distance trains.
While officials prepare to face passenger complaints on dirty coaches, smelly toilets and non-supply of linen in air-conditioned compartments in the event of withdrawing the on board services, Southern Railway hopes to receive enough funds to pay pending bills to the tune of ?22 crore to the contractors and another ?130 crore to keep the amenities and housekeeping services on.
Though the issue was flagged on July 5, 2019, there was apparently no response from the Ministry, forcing General Manager Rahul Jain to send a reminder a couple of weeks ago, sources in the Railway Ministry confirmed to The Hindu on Monday.
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