The nation’s largest transporter, Indian Railways, has decided to put a ban on single-use plastic material on its premises and trains. This ban will be implemented from October 2.

The Indian Railways announced a ban on single-use plastic material across its network from the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The railways said the initiative would help protect the environment.

During the Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called for a ban on single-use plastic. He called upon citizens to abandon the use of single use plastic.

The order said that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation should implement returning of plastic water bottles given to passengers. It added that plastic bottle crushing machines should be provided to the railway staff as soon as possible.

While directing the authorities to expedite installation of 1,853 plastic water bottle crushing machines at 360 major stations in the first phase, the Railway Board asked Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Development Corporation (IRCTC) to implement return of plastic drinking bottles as part of Extended Producer Responsibility.

The board also asked General Managers of Zonal Railways and production units to encourage railway vendors to avoid use of plastic carry bags. Railway employees were asked to reduce, reuse and refuse plastic products and to use reusable bags to reduce plastic usage.

There is no doubt that railways took this step and contributed toward single use of plastic. After the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, Patna railway “Rajendra Nagar Terminal” and Sonepur satation  are clean, but the plastic are still found on the railway station. Now let’s see what happen next after the ban of single use of plastic material.

Neha Nidhi

  Indian railways, plastic ban, Railway